Environmental sampler and methods of use in soils and fields

ABSTRACT

An environmental testing and monitoring system uses a sampler to hold resin or other adsorbent for contaminants, pollutants, nutrients, or other chemicals uptake from water or air, and preferably includes remote real-time sensors that detect and transmit physical and/or chemical data by wireless or wired telemetry and GPS systems. The sampler and/or sensors may be attached to a ground-insertion tool having at least one screw portion. The sampler and sensors may be attached to a fixed or floating buoy system that is capable of solar charging or may be affixed to other supports to allow precise placement in, and easy retrieval from, various structures and environments including fresh and saltwater, soil and sediment, water and sludge pipes and vessels, air, and gaseous streams and emissions. Time-measured, mass-balanced data sets may be achieved from the extended-time-accumulated values from the resin/adsorbent sampler left in place for an extended time, and preferably from the real-time sensors that transmit a steady stream of information throughout said extended time.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 13/227,445, filed Sep. 7, 2011, entitled“Environmental Sampler and Methods of Using Same”, and issued on Jul. 1,2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,478, which claims benefit of ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/380,320, filed Sep. 7, 2010 and entitled“Environmental Sampler”, wherein the disclosures of both applicationsare incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ecological, agricultural, andhorticultural monitoring and methods for locating and trackingcontaminants, nutrients, and/or other chemical and compositions that mayaffect human health, the environment, or plant health or yields, forexample. More specifically, this invention relates to deployingapparatus in aqueous, groundwater, sediment, soil, and/or atmosphericenvironments, and measuring site-specificcontaminants/nutrients/chemicals/compositions. Embodiments of theinvention may include using the apparatus to identify point sourcelocations, distribution of contaminants, contaminant concentrations,residues, nutrients and nutrient profiles, and chemical build-up andrelease models. Another beneficial use may include the identification,measurement, tracking, and assessment of contaminants associated withNatural Resource Damage Assessments, such as the measuring of petroleumand petroleum by-products associated with a large crude oil or otherrelease or spill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises apparatus and/or methods for detectingand/or monitoring water, soil, and/or air quality, for example, bydetecting/monitoring environmental pollutants and/or chemicals, nutrientloading, herbicide/pesticides, heavy metals, organic compounds,radionuclides, illegal-drugs or drug-related by-products, and/orchemicals and chemical by-products important to national security andnatural resource damage assessments. According to certain embodiments ofthe invention, a sampler system comprises ion-exchange resin(s) and/orother adsorbent(s) and is placed in any environmental medium in whichfluid from the environmental medium may contact the resin/adsorbent. Forexample, the sampler may be placed in aqueous environments, such asrivers, lakes, or streams; in soil or sediment; on or in ground wherewater-run-off flows or seeps; in sewers or other waste streams orcontainment systems, and/or in air or other gaseous environments.

In certain embodiments, samplers may be placed at strategic locations inwater, air, or soil, for example, to collect contaminants to establishbaseline concentrations, determine location(s) of contaminant source(s),establish contaminant migration and distribution routes, and/ordetermine contaminant concentrations at various distances from thesource. In certain embodiments, samplers are placed in agriculturalfields or horticultural soil, to identify and profile nutrientsavailable to crops or other plants for calculations of needed fertilizeror other soil treatments. In other embodiments, samplers are placed indischarge piping, such as sewer piping, to monitor for NPDES, POTW, andchemical/chemical by-products associated with illegal drug manufacturingor materials important to national security. In other embodiments,samplers are placed in and/or downstream of chimneys/discharge stacks tomonitor airborne contaminants. Samplers may be collected after apredetermined time period, and then analyzed using laboratory protocolsand methods appropriate for the particular ion exchangeresin(s)/adsorbent(s) of the sampler(s).

Certain embodiments of the sampler system comprise a sampler enclosurethat houses resin(s) and/or other adsorbent(s) and that comprises apassageway for receiving a support member, for example, a cable, buoy,rigid arm, motorized bar/bracket, spike, or screw-in stake, which holdsthe sampler in the desired location in the environment. Certainembodiments of the sampler system may comprise one or more real-timesensors closely adjacent to the resin/adsorbent sampler to sensephysical conditions, elements, or other characteristics of the mediasurrounding the sampler.

The preferred sampler enclosure comprises an outer sidewall, wherein atleast a portion of the outer sidewall is fluid-permeable. Thefluid-permeable sidewall/portion may be screen, mesh, perforatedmaterial, fabric, or other fluid-permeable material that allows fluidsincluding water or air, and contaminants carried therein, through thesidewall/portion to reach ion-exchange resin or other adsorbent in aspace inside the enclosure. In certain embodiments, the enclosure isgenerally cylindrical, wherein the outer sidewall is axial orgenerally-axial, and an inner member extends coaxially and parallel tothe outer sidewall to form an annular space between said inner memberand said outer sidewall that receives the resin/adsorbent. The innermember is preferably a tubular or other hollow member having anopen-ended axial passage at or near the central axis of the sampler.

The preferred enclosure may comprise at each of its ends an end-cover,wherein the end-covers prevent the resin or other adsorbent from fallingor flowing out of the enclosure. Each end-cover may comprise a centralaperture that surrounds/aligns with the inner member passage, so that anopened-ended passageway extends through the entire sampler for receivingthe cable, buoy, arm, bar/bracket, spike, screw-in stake, or othersupport member(s). The preferred end-covers may be described as eachbeing a generally radial end-plate, cap, or platform that extends acrossthe annular space to retain resin/adsorbent in the annular space, butthat has a central aperture (radially-inward from the annular space) tocooperate with the inner member passage to allow receiving of saidsupport member through the sampler.

The outer sidewall, inner member, and end-covers may be connectedtogether by various means to form the enclosure structure of thesampler. Preferably, the bottom end-cover is permanently orsemi-permanently connected to the outer sidewall and the inner member,and the top end-cover is removably connected to the outer sidewall andthe inner member so that it is easily detached from the other parts ofthe enclosure for loading and unloading of the resin/adsorbent. Thus,the enclosure may be taken at least partially apart for insertion ofresin or other adsorbent, including loose resin/adsorbent orfluid-permeable packet(s)/container(s) of resin/adsorbent. The enclosureand/or entire sampler may be retrieved from the environment fortransport to a laboratory for analysis of the resin/adsorbent, whereincertain embodiments comprise the resin/adsorbent being removed from thesampler prior to the analysis and certain embodiments comprise theresin/adsorbent remaining in the sampler enclosure during analysis.Alternatively, the enclosure may be taken at least partially aparton-site for a quick change-out of the resin/adsorbent andre-installation of the sampler in the environment, in which case onlythe resin/adsorbent needs to be taken to the laboratory. In the latercase, environmental monitoring may continue, with a freshresin/adsorbent, after only an extremely short interruption.

An optional, but preferred, adaptation for the sampler system is toprovide a resin/adsorbent sampler plus one or more real-time sensorsoutside of, but preferably connected or otherwise closely-associatedwith, the resin/adsorbent sampler. Options for said real-time devicesinclude one or more discs, membranes, packets, or other forms sensormaterial that react to physical parameters and environmentalcontaminants, for example, temperature, dissolved oxygen and otherelements, pH, but not limited to, clarity, bacteria, conductivity,organic compounds, and/or inorganic compounds. The real-time sensors maybe membrane, solid, or electrical/mechanical sensors, for example, thatare provided above, below, beside the resin/adsorbent sampler, or arounda portion of the sampler. A preferred configuration is one or moresensors being coaxial with the inner member of the sampler, andconnected to or located at or near the sampler by the support member(cable/arm/bar/stake, etc.) that supports or suspends the sampler. Incertain embodiments, multiple sensors having central apertures arestacked above the sampler, with their central apertures being receivedon the elongated support member.

Remote telemetry may be provided that is in communication with saidreal-time sensors, to provide real-time measurement of physicalparameters and environmental contaminants. Telemetry may be integratedwith a network of multiple samplers, on the same support structure orvarious support structures, to provide measurements over a largegeographical area. Real-time sensors may become more and more importantelements of the apparatus and process, as new and more accurate sensorsfor contaminants and physical parameters are developed by those of skillin sensor art.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide a means for monitoringenvironmental pollutants and other contaminants to support short-term,rapid environmental assessments, long-term monitoring of catastrophicenvironmental events, and/or natural resource damage assessments.Certain embodiments of the invention may provide means to monitor andmanage treatment and application of herbicides and pesticides in aquaticenvironments. Certain embodiments of the invention may provide means toscreen for chemicals (including hazardous wastes), chemical by-products,and radionuclides. Certain embodiments of the invention may helpminimize the potential for environmental damage and exposure to thepublic. Certain embodiments of the invention may provide nutrient andchemical composition data for assessment of agricultural field soil orother soil quality, so that fertilizer, soil-supplements, or other soiltreatments may be performed appropriately and accurately. Furthermore,certain embodiments of the invention utilize, in unique combinations andassemblies, commercially-available resins/adsorbents, sensing materials,and telemetry components, and, in certain embodiments, laboratoryanalysis steps for said resins/adsorbents. The preferred embodiments ofthe invention rely on relatively few items of support equipment and theapplication and methods associated with the preferred embodiments can becompleted in a very short amount of time compared to conventionalenvironmental monitoring processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inventedresin/adsorbent sampler, without any resin or adsorbent in the sampler,wherein this sampler comprises a hollow central post as an inner member,which that has a solid and continuous side wall so that it is notfluid-permeable.

FIG. 1B is an axial-cross-sectional view of the sampler of FIG. 1A,which shows an embodiment of granular resin inside the sampler.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinvented resin/adsorbent sampler, without any resin or adsorbent in thesampler, wherein this sampler comprises a hollow central post innermember that is made of screen/mesh so that it is fluid-permeable.

FIG. 2B is an axial-cross-sectional view of the sampler of FIG. 2A,which shows an embodiment of granular resin inside the sampler.

FIGS. 1A and B and 2A and B show an embodiment of the outer screen ofthe sampler that is substantially or entirely mesh material. In FIGS. 1Aand 2A, however, only small portions of the screen are drawn withsquare-mesh markings, so that the other portions of the sampler may beeasily seen in the Figure.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a sampler as in FIGS. 1A and 1B, with the capremoved to show a multiple-compartment packet of resin/adsorbentprovided, in the annular space of the sampler, instead of looseresin/adsorbent.

FIG. 3B is an axial-cross-sectional view of the sampler of FIG. 3A (withthe cap installed), showing two of the compartments of the packet incross-section, at the right and left of the central post of the sampler.

FIG. 4 shows a sampler system according to one embodiment of theinvention installed in a body of water, such as a lake, a waterway suchas a stream or river, or the ocean.

FIG. 5A portrays an embodiment of the sampler system wherein multiplesamplers are “strung” on a single cable, with multiple real-time sensordiscs associated with each sampler by being “strung” on the same cableabove the associated sampler.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged detail view of the lower portion of theembodiment of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is an exploded view of the three sensordiscs and two spacers of FIG. 5B, wherein the spacers are for cushioningand protection from friction and wear and/or for electronic/electricinsulation and/or static prevention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are top, side perspective, and side views,respectively, of a sampler system according to another embodiment of theinvention, wherein four strings of samplers plus sensor discs hangbetween X-shaped brackets at or near a top support/anchor-point and aweight. One string of samplers hangs from each of the four arms of theX-shaped bracket, with one of the strings of samplers being hidden inback of the front string of samplers in FIG. 6B. The multiple strings ofsamplers may be used for testing of the same area of the environment atvarious times and at various depths. For example, one string may bepulled at each of four times, for example, a first string 8 hours aftera treatment with herbicides), a second string at 24 hours aftertreatment, a third string at 48 hours after treatment, and the fourthstring at 72 hours after treatment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment wherein a main cableis held between a weight and a buoy that preferably comprises telemetryequipment, and transverse tethers extend from part-way along the cableto tether two samplers with sensor discs to the main cable in aconfiguration that allows the samplers and discs to float generallyhorizontally out from the main cable. This way, the current in awaterway will send each sampler and its discs downstream a distancegenerally equal to the length of its tether. FIG. 7 shows the twotethers to be about equal, but tethers of different lengths may bebeneficial to test/monitor water at different distances from the singlebuoy and weight assembly.

FIG. 8 schematically depicts one embodiment of the invention whereinmultiple samplers are placed in rivers and tributary streams forwatershed management. Samplers may be fixed or weighted-down to theriver/tributary bottom and suspended at selected depths to establishbaseline conditions and also to indicate pollutant/contaminant pointsource location. Sampler systems each with a single sampler may be used,or multiple-sampler systems may be used, for example, such as shown inFIGS. 4, 6A-C, or 7.

FIG. 9 depicts another embodiment of the invention wherein samplers,each indicated with an asterisk, are distributed within a lake to obtainenvironmental measurements, for example to manage application ofherbicides/pesticides to control noxious weeds within a particularportion of the lake.

FIGS. 10A and B are a side view and a perspective view of onescrew-style stake, a “cork-screw” stake embodiment, for insertion intodirt, sediment, shore-land, wetlands or other ground, soil, or othergenerally solid location.

FIGS. 11A and C are cross-sectional side views of an alternativeembodiment of the invented sampler system wherein one (11A) or more(11C) samplers are provided in a container rather than on a cable,tether, or screw-style stake, for example, to receive and monitor waterrun-off down a hill or shore. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of thecontainer of FIGS. 11A and C.

FIG. 12A is a schematic that depicts multiple samplers deployed in aresidential sewer system to monitor for chemical and chemicalby-products from multiple building (square blocks) potentiallyassociated with the production of illegal drugs, or other dangerous orillegal discharge.

FIG. 12B is a side perspective view showing a sampler with discsembodiment that may be placed in a sewer cleanout or other access to asewer/storm-water system, wherein samplers may be positioned both in ahorizontal portion and a vertical portion of the sewer/storm-watersystem.

FIG. 13 is a side, partially-cross-section view of the sewer/storm-watersystem of FIG. 12B, wherein a sampler with discs is lowered andretrieved by a motorized arm, and wherein the sampler and discs areprovided in a retention cage in the horizontal portion of thesewer/storm-water system whereby the sampler with discs may float withthe liquid level.

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment wherein a sampler is hung in atree to monitor air quality, for example, general air quality orpesticide content.

FIG. 15 portrays an embodiment of an air sampler provided in a tree andan air sampler on a hanger installed in the ground.

FIG. 16 portrays an embodiment of an air/gasses sampler in asmoke-stack/chimney, and an air sampler on a hanger nearly.

FIG. 17 portrays one embodiment of laboratory equipment and methodswherein a resin/adsorbent packet that has been removed from a sampler isinstalled in a holder for solvent extraction or other removal ofchemicals/compounds that resulted from the sampler's exposure to thechemicals/compounds in the environment.

FIG. 18 portrays one embodiment of a sampler installed in an alternativeembodiment of laboratory equipment, wherein an upper tray dispensessolvent down into the sampler annular space for extraction/removal ofcontaminants/chemicals/compounds from the resin/adsorbent, and theresulting leachate flows down away from the sampler to carry saidcontaminants/chemicals/compounds to another container for subsequentlaboratory analysis.

It should be noted that many embodiments of the invented samplers andreal-time sensors are enlarged in the above-listed figures relative tothe environment and environmental equipment in the figures, for clarity.Many samplers and sensors will be smaller than implied by these figures.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of sampler,wherein fluid-permeable material, such as a screen, forms a substantialportion of the axially-extending, outer sidewall. Fluid-permeablematerial, such as a screen, also forms a portion of the radial, topend-cover or “cap”, and also a portion (not visible in this view) of theradial, bottom end-cover or “platform”.

FIG. 20 is an axial, cross-sectional view of the sampler of FIG. 19,wherein the three screens of FIG. 19 are not shown in this figure forease of viewing the other components.

FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of the sampler of FIG. 19, with thescreens not shown, and with the cap removed for access to the annularspace.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 19, with the outersidewall screen shown.

FIG. 23 is a side, cross-sectional view of FIG. 19, including small“patches” of resin/adsorbent as schematic indicators of looseresin/adsorbent being provided inside the annular space, wherein theresin/adsorbent typically would substantially or entirely fill theannular space.

FIG. 23A is a detail view of the portion of the sampler circled in FIG.23, illustrating resin filling the annular space, wherein the annularspace in this view is defined as the space between the tubular innermember, an outer strut and screen forming the outer sidewall in theregion being viewed, and a platform strut and a bottom screen formingthe bottom end-cover (or “platform”) in the region being viewed.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the sampler of FIG. 19, wherein mainly the topend-cover (“cap”) is visible, and it may be noted that several,spaced-apart cap struts extend underneath the screen, and the screenextends circumferentially all the way around the cap.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the sampler of FIG. 19, wherein the upperring and lower ring of the outer sidewall, 4 platform struts, the bottomscreen extending circumferentially all the way around the bottom of thesampler, and the bottom surface of the inner member, are all visible. Inthis embodiment, one may describe the bottom end-cover as comprising thebottom screen extending between the lower ring and the inner member, andthe four platform struts extending underneath and supporting the bottomscreen.

FIGS. 26-32 portray alternative embodiments of a sampler, with theaxial, top, and bottom screens removed for better viewing of the othercomponents, wherein various top end-covers or “caps” are used.Specifically:

FIG. 26 shows a cap that slides down around the inner member, whereinflexible tabs of the inner member snap-out over the cap, to retain thecap on the sampler, and wherein the tabs will be pushed inward to movetheir bottom ends out of the way of the cap for removal of the cap.

FIG. 27 shows a cap that slides down around the inner member, whereinupwardly-protruding flexible tabs will be pushed inward at their topends to pivot them sufficiently to allow the cap to be removed.

FIG. 28 shows a cap that slides down around the approximatelyhalf-cylindrical extensions of the inner member, to form a friction fitaround said extensions.

FIGS. 29 and 29A show a cap that slides down around the inner member,which has a J-shaped notch, wherein an inward-extending cap protrusionslides down through the axial portion of the notch, and upon rotation ofthe cap, the protrusion slides circumferentially into thecircumferential portion of the J-shaped notch, to retain the cap on thesampler. FIG. 29A is a detail of the J-shaped notch region ofcooperation between the cap and the sampler main body.

FIG. 30 shows a cross-sectional detail of an alternative sampler,wherein a cap slides down between the inner member and the top ring ofthe outer sidewall, and a protrusion on the cap snaps into a recess inthe inner member for holding the cap on the sampler main body.

FIG. 31 shown a cross-sectional detail of an alternative sampler,including a flexible cap that is snapped onto the sampler main body.

FIG. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of yet another sampler, wherein athreaded cap is screwed-onto a threaded inner member.

FIG. 33 is a perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of anauger-style sampler support/insertion tool, wherein a single sampler isheld on a shaft of the tool between portions of the tool comprisingauger flights.

FIG. 34 is an assembled view of the tool of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a side perspective view of an alternative auger-style samplersupport/insertion tool, wherein multiple samplers are held on shaftportions of the tool, between portions of the tool comprising augerflights, and with a drill connected to, and powering rotation of, thetool.

FIG. 36 is a side perspective view of an alternative auger-style samplersupport/insertion tool, similar to that in FIG. 35, except that the toolis shorter and contains one fewer sets of auger flights, and a manualhandle is fixed or otherwise connected to the shaft of the tool. FIG. 37portrays one embodiment of a spike-style sampler support/insertion tool,wherein multiple samplers are held in two sets of two samplers, the twosets being spaced apart on the tool shaft, and wherein the tool would bepushed, hammered, or otherwise forced into the ground.

FIG. 38 is a schematic view and specifications of auger flights of apreferred auger-style tool, such as in FIGS. 33-36.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, there are shown several but not the only,embodiments of the invented sampler system and methods of using saidsampler system. The sampler system may be used to sample and monitorvarious locations and media in the environment, for example, to monitorwater, air, or soil for various contaminants, pollutants, nutrients,and/or other chemicals/compounds. This sampling and monitoring is doneby means of fluid from the environment, typically water from a body ofwater or from soil, or air from the atmosphere, entering into thesampler(s), where said fluid contacts resin or other adsorbent thatadsorbs said contaminants, pollutants, nutrients, and/or other chemicalsfrom the fluid. At least a portion, and preferably substantial portionsof the outer sidewall, top end-cover, and bottom end-cover, arefluid-permeable. “Fluid-permeable” means in this context that the fluidmay pass through the material with little or no filtering of thecontaminants/pollutants/nutrients/chemicals of interest. Themesh/porosity size of the fluid-permeable portions may be selected,however, to be a filter or barrier to larger items such as dirt, gravel,sticks, or leaves, or in certain embodiments to be a filter or barrierto said larger items and also to most or all soil particles.

As best portrayed in FIGS. 1A and B, 2A and B, and 3A and B, the samplersystem uses a sampler 10 comprising an enclosure such as housing 12adapted to contain one or more resins and/or adsorbents 14, wherein thehousing 12 comprises a side-wall that is entirely or substantiallyfluid-permeable to allow water and air to flow to the resin/adsorbent 14inside the housing.

Therefore, the term “adsorbent” hereafter and in the claims is definedas any material that adsorbs, wherein adsorbs or adsorption may bedefined as the adhesion of atoms, ions, biomolecules or molecules ofgas, liquid, or dissolved solids to a surface. This process creates afilm of the adsorbate (the atoms, ions, or molecules being accumulated)on the surface of the adsorbent. Adsorption is therefore a surfacephenomenon, and so can be used to take up said adsorbate and then torelease or substantially release the adsorbate for laboratory analysisby known processes such as contact by a leaching liquid.

Samplers, and in certain embodiments real-time sensors, may be providedsingly or in groups, and may be installed in the environmental medium,or in a location where they will at least intermittently contact theenvironmental medium (for example, with tides, increased flow in asewer, or other changes in the medium). Installation may compriseattachment to or containment in a box or other container that hasapertures so that the medium will reach the sampler/sensors. Or,installation may be on a flexible elongate member such as cable(including strings, cords, chains), on a rigid or generally rigidelongated member (such as a bar, board, post, hanger), and/or hangingdown on a flexible, rigid, or generally rigid member from a supportbase. Support bases may comprise, for example, a buoy including anyfloating object, or a fixed or usually-fixed member such as a manholecover, upstanding pipe, pier, bridge, tree, smokestack, or otherinfrastructure or building portion. Support bases may include telemetryand/or GPS in some embodiments. The term “telemetry base” is also usedherein, and refers to apparatus that is distanced from the sampler andreal-time sensor, for example, to receive signals transmitted from thereal-time sensors. A telemetry base is not necessarily physicallyconnected to, supporting, or holding the sampler and real-time sensor,but is associated with the sampler system at least by operativeconnection through telemetry signals. A telemetry base, however, mayalso in certain embodiments be the support base, for example, a buoythat comprises telemetry apparatus and preferably also GPS apparatus,wherein the sampler and/or the real-time sensor are connected to andtypically suspended from the buoy.

The preferred embodiments of real-time sensors are those that aresymmetrical around a central axis, and which may be installed at or nearthe resin/adsorbent sampler, for example coaxial with the post of thesampler. Symmetrical real-time sensors include, for example, circularplates, spheres, cylinders, and oblate-shapes. The especially-preferredsymmetrical real-time sensor is called a “sensor disc” hereafter, and isa generally-plate-shaped or generally-wafer-shaped device that isgenerally or exactly symmetrical around its central axis and providedclosely-adjacent to a sampler. Such a shape is expected to giveexcellent and consistent data, via wireless or less-preferably wiredmeans, as discussed in more detail later in this document.Non-symmetrical sensors, for example bars or cubes, may be used if theyare affixed to account for directional influences such as flow or airpatterns.

The real-time sensors may be “strung” on the cable, bar, or othersupport system that holds or suspends the sampler(s), preferablyimmediately adjacent the sampler. The sensors that are “strung”coaxially on a cable with the sampler may rest by gravity on top of thesampler, or be connected above or below the sampler by a clip, bracket,tether or other preferably-detachable fastener. Or, the sensors may beconnected to a side of the sampler, but this is less preferred due tothe asymmetry inherent in most versions of such an arrangement.

The preferred coaxial, or otherwise closely-adjacent or very nearplacement, of sensors relative to the samplers, allows for “immediatelyadjacent” comparisons of the data from the sensors and also the data(lab analysis) of the sampler. Preferably, each real-time sensor iswithin less than 6 inches of its respective sampler, and more preferablywithin less than 3 inches of its respective sampler. This allowscomparison and correlation of both data sets from a single apparatussystem, that is, resin/adsorbent data plus real-time data from a singlecombined unit of resin sampler plus sensor(s).

The sidewall or sidewall portion that is fluid-permeable is preferably acylindrical screen 16, and an annular space 18 exists between the screenand the inner member center post 20 of the sample. The screen may be ofvarious mesh/opening sizes, but typically the screen mesh sizes are thenominal range of 100 to 500 micron openings, with a preferred openingsize being in the range of 200-300, or about microns. For example,screen utilizing a thread count of 64 by 64 per inch with a threaddiameter of 127 microns has been used effectively. A 500 micro meshscreen has been used for industrial water quality tests. Within thepreferred range of 100-500 micron screen openings, the screen openingsize may be chosen for different resins and different soils and/orwater, to provide minimal infiltration of soil into the sampler, forexample. The screen allows fluid, and, in certain embodiments smallparticles of soil and sand and other solids to infiltrate into thesampler to reach the resin/adsorbent, but prevents larger materials suchas rocks, pebbles, and sticks to reach the resin/adsorbent. Afterremoval from the soil/water, the sampler may be thoroughly cleaned witha high pressure deionized water spray, to remove said small particles ofsoil and sand and other non-resin solids, before proceeding to the nextanalytical step.

The center post 20 preferably is hollow so that it comprises alongitudinal passageway 23 through which a cable, bar, or otherelongated member may be passed or otherwise connected to the sampler.This way, the sampler may be hung in water, air or other liquid orgasses, and multiple samplers may be “strung” on a single cable/member,as will be further discussed below. The sampler(s) and disc(s) may befastened to the cable/member (including a rod, bar, arm or other member)by various fasteners, including ties, knots, clips, frictional members,grippers, screws, nuts, spacers, brackets, or enlarged-diameter cableconnectors, for example. Flanges, nuts, or other structure that is oflarger diameter than the post passageway 23, may be fixed/integral withthe cable below and preferably also above each sampler-disc assembly, toprevent the sampler-disc assembly from sliding downward or upward on thecable. Or, fasteners may be provide inside the hollow passageway 23 thatgrip or attach to the sampler, to prevent the samplers from slidingalong the cable/member until the fastener is unfastened or unlatched.Specific fasteners are not drawn in the figures, as various ways andfasteners will be apparent to those of skill for fixing the sampler tothe cable/member, supporting the sampler on the cable/member, orotherwise prevent sliding of the sampler along the cable/member.

The housing 12 further comprises a cap 22 and a platform 24 at oppositeends of the screen 16, which are connected and retained together by thepost 20. The post 20 may be molded integrally with, or otherwise fixedto, the platform 24, or, less preferably, may be detachable from theplatform, for example, by a threaded connection or other fasteningdevice. The cap 22 preferably detaches from the post 20, for opening upthe sampler 10 and its annular space 18. Snap-fit tabs 26 or otherfasteners may be provided on an end of the post 20 and/or on the cap 22,for fastening the cap to the post. The cap is fastened to the post in aposition that presses the screen 16 tightly between the cap andplatform, so that resin/adsorbent will not leak out form the sampler.The screen may be fixed permanently to the platform, with the cappreferably having a circular indent or seal in its underside for sealingengagement with the screen. Or, both platform and cap may have acircular indent or seal for sealing engagement with the screen. By“sealing engagement” in this context, it is meant sufficient firmcontact to prevent the screen from falling/moving away from the cap orplatform and opening a hole that would allow resin, adsorbent, orresin/adsorbent packets from falling out of the sampler. “Sealing” inthis context does not mean a fluid-seal, as it acceptable for fluid toflow throughout the sampler.

The post may be adapted to connect the platform and cap together, withthe screen between said platform and cap, and with the annular spacebetween the post and the screen receiving resin/adsorbent. The post maybe hollow, or otherwise adapted to receive or connect to a cable, suchas a wire, string, chain, or other elongated member, for suspending ofthe sampler in a desired location. The side wall of the post may besolid-walled, that is, continuous and without perforations.Alternatively, the side wall of the post may be, or have portions thatare, non-continuous, including screen, mesh, perforated material, orother fluid-permeable material. In such cases, the post would preferablybe hollow so that fluid could flow into the hollow post and into and outthe non-continuous post side wall to reach the resin/adsorbent.

FIGS. 1A and B portray a sampler 10 that has a solid-walled post 20, andloose, granular ion-exchange resin in its annular space 18. This post 20will not let fluid through its side-wall, but fluid may enter thesampler from all the way around the circumference of the screen 16.FIGS. 2A and B portray a sampler 10′ that has a housing 12′ withfluid-permeable post 20′, for example, a post made of the same orsimilar screen as outer screen 16. This post allows fluid flowing intothe hollow passageway of the post 20′ to enter the annular space fromthe inside of the sampler to contact the resin/adsorbent.

FIGS. 3A and B portray a sampler 10″ containing a multiple-compartmentpacket 30 of resin, for example, fluid-permeable fabric sewn to havemultiple compartments 32 each containing resin(s). A packet-stylecontainer, especially one that includes multiple compartments, tends tokeep the resin distributed more evenly in the annular space and allaround the circumference of the sampler. The compartments 32 extendaxially all or substantially all the length of the packet, so that“vertical columns” of resin are provided in the space 18, in effect,evenly spaced around the circumference of the sampler. In the followingfigures, samplers that look like FIG. 1A are shown in variousenvironments, and it will be understood that the samplers have looseand/or packets of resin/adsorbent, and it will be understood thatsamplers such as those in FIGS. 1A and B, 2A and B, 3A and B, or otherembodiments within the broad scope of the invention, may be used in thevarious environments.

FIGS. 1-3 show apertures 40 in the cap 22 and platform 24, for allowingsolvent or other fluid to enter or leave the annular space 18 from thetop and bottom of the sampler. This is particularly useful in laboratorytesting as will be discussed in more detail below referring to FIGS. 17and 18. The apertures 40 are arranged in a circular pattern in each ofthe cap and platform, as this will tend to provide evenly distributedflow, during laboratory analysis, into the annular space for even andgenerally predictable contact of solvents or other chemical with theresin/adsorbent.

As shown to best advantage by the sampler system 100 and details inFIGS. 4 and 5A-C, one or more optional real-time sensors, for examplethe preferred sensor discs 50 may be included in the sampler system tosense physical conditions, elements, or chemicals in real-time at ornear the sampler. A cable C holding at least one sampler 10 extends downfrom the buoy. An assembly 150 of sensor discs 50 and spacers 52 arestrung on the cable C as well, directly and closely above the sampler10, and a weight W or other anchor point on or near the lake, stream, orocean sediment/soil-bed is provided to keep the sampler system generallyvertical in the water at a fixed or substantially fixed location in thewater. The dashed communication lines in FIG. 4 schematically portrayhow the real-time sensors comprise electronics and transmission systemsto send wireless signals (one or more separate signals), comprisingsensed data, to a telemetry base, which may be the buoy B and/oroptionally a shore-base B′ on the shore. The buoy B and/or theshore-base B′ comprise(s) telemetry equipment preferably with GPS thattransmits the data on to a distant lab or research station (dash-and-dotlines) for recording and analysis. Wireless or less-preferably wiretelemetry T, preferably combined with a GPS system, is preferablyprovided to allow data transfer from the real-time sensor discs 50 to aremote recorder, a lab or research station, or other computer and/orcontrol station (L), that is typically distant from the system 100, forexample, miles away. This way, the real-time data may becombined/integrated with the resin/adsorbent lab data to provide a morecomplete and accurate view of the environment being monitored, includingover large geographical areas and with GPS positioning data describingthe location of the sampler systems. While all the details of telemetryand GPS apparatus for embodiments of the invention are not listed ordrawn herein, said telemetry and GPS apparatus will be understood by oneof skill in these arts and conventional telemetry and GPS apparatus canbe obtained commercially and implemented without undue experimentation.

FIG. 5A portrays an embodiment of the sampler system 200 whereinmultiple samplers are “strung” on a single cable, with multiplereal-time sensor discs associated with each sampler by being “strung” onthe same cable above the associated sampler. As described for FIG. 4,the real-time sensor discs 50 may communicate, preferably wirelessly,with a telemetry and/or GPS base, for further transmission to the lab orresearch station. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A preferablyinclude solar-power capability and/or batteries, for example, aphotovoltaic panel PV on the top of the buoy B to power thetelemetry/GPS.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged detail view of the lower portion of theembodiment of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B shows one sampler, three sensor discs 50(with spacers 52 between them) above the sampler, and a weight below thesampler, all being provided on the single cable C by the cable extendingthrough the sampler post and a centrally-located aperture 54, 56 througheach disc and spacer, and by the weight being tied or otherwise attachedto the cable.

FIG. 5C is an exploded view of the three sensor discs 50 and two spacers52 of FIG. 5B, wherein the spacers are for cushioning and protectionfrom friction and wear and/or for electronic/electric insulation and/orstatic prevention.

FIGS. 6A-C show a sampler system 300 wherein four sampler strings 310 ofsamplers 10 plus sensor disc assemblies 150 hang between X-shapedbrackets 330 at or near a top support or top anchor-point S and a weightor bottom anchor-point W. The X-shaped brackets 330 are connected to thetop and bottom of each cable C to keep the strings of samplers separatedfrom each other in a predetermined arrangement and spacing. A centralcable CC may extend between the X-brackets and/or between the top andbottom anchor-points S and W, to strengthen the system 300. One stringof samplers hangs from each of the four arms of the X-shaped bracket,with one of the strings of samplers being hidden in back of the frontstring of samplers in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7 portrays a sampler system 400 that includes a solar-powered andtelemetry-and-GPS-enabled buoy B, a cable extending downward from thebuoy, and two transverse tethers T and samplers 10 extending out fromcable C. The two tethers T extend from points part-way along the lengthof the cable C to tether two samplers 10 with sensor disc assemblies tothe main cable, in a configuration that allows the samplers and discs tofloat generally horizontally out from the main cable. This way, thecurrent in a waterway will send each sampler and its discs downstream,at different depths, a distance generally equal to the length of itstether. FIG. 7 shows the two tethers to be about equal, but tethers ofdifferent lengths may be beneficial to test/monitor water at differentdistances from the single buoy and weight assembly.

FIGS. 4-7 portray sampler systems/assemblies wherein the samplers aresuspended in water and anchored by a weight or other anchor-point. Inother embodiments of the invention, however, the sampler system/assemblymay be suspended from a buoy but allowed to float free with currents, orwith the tide and waves in salt-water/ocean environs. Such free-floatingembodiments may be unweighted, or may have some weight that keeps thestring/assembly of sampler(s) generally vertical, but not so much weightthat the sampler system/assembly is anchored only in one place in thewater.

FIGS. 10A and B portray one, but not the only, embodiment of a stake orspike-type sampler system. The screw-in stake sampler system 500 ofFIGS. 10A and B. These sampler systems may be installed in the ground,for example, in soil, sediment, gardens, or agricultural regions. Thesesamplers rely on liquid in the soil/sediment, including liquid seepingdown into the soil-sediment, to flow into the sampler and/to contact thesensor discs to contact the resin/adsorbent and the sensormaterials/membranes.

The stake sampler system 500 includes a stake 505 that holds one or moresamplers 10 and preferably one or more discs for insertion into soil orsediment to place sampler(s) below ground. The top end and handle 515 ofthe stake may be detached from the lower, cork-screw-style end 520 ofthe stake by a quick-connect or other connection 530. This detachableconnection allows the sampler 10 to be removed and/or emptied foranalysis of the resin/adsorbent. The connection 530 or other provisionson the stake should be designed so that the sampler and discs are heldin place near the lower end 520 of the stake, so that screwing the stakeinto the ground (soil/sediment) will not allow the ground to push thesampler and discs up toward the handle end 515 to be out of, or higherthan desired in, the ground.

The sampler system in FIGS. 10A and B are an example of a samplersystem/assembly that may be deployed below ground surface to collect andmeasure the downward migration of pollutants or environmentalcontaminants for sediment measurements. A stake or spike-style samplermay contain specifically-formulated ion-exchange resins tailoredappropriately to collect and measure herbicides, pesticide, heavymetals, organic compounds, radionuclide's, or other unique pollutants orenvironmental contaminants of concern contained in run-off water. Anadaptation of this embodiment may include an optional base B″ holdingGPS transmitter and telemetry above the handle end to provide real-timedata and positioning, as described elsewhere in this document.

FIGS. 11A-C portray two, but not the only, embodiments of a “run-offbox” embodiments, which may be placed on a hill-side or shore to capturewater run-off from the surrounding up-hill area. A fixed collection boxsystem such as sampler system 600 can be located in the environment tosample runoff and subsequent leaching from waste sites and suspectcontaminant areas. In this example, the samplers are placed within thecollection box and runoff is allowed to flow into and through thecontainer. The container can be made into any size and shape. Thecontainer holds the sampler(s) in a fixed position which is normally atthe low point of any expected flow and allows the runoff to run into andthen exit the container. Contaminants are adsorbed onto the resin andthe sensors can be used to track key environmental indicators. Thisdevice is ideal for areas where runoff from waste sites or areas issuspected to contribute to damage to the surrounding area andenvironment (runoff into ponds, lakes, streams, sewer systems or tounsuspecting landowners). The user can place this container in an areaof suspected flow/runoff and simply check the samplers on a monthlybasis. One such example would be in the Canyons around and adjacent tothe Los Alamos site in New Mexico. Flooding from summer storms hit theplateau where the waste sites are located and runoff then flows throughthe canyons into streams and eventually the Rio Grande River.

The run-off sampler system 600 comprises one or more box-like containers605 that may be set on a hill-side or shore, to receive waterrunning-off land to a lower region and/or a water body, for example,from a waste-contaminated area WA. The run-off will enter the containerto contact one or more samplers 10 and preferably discs inside thecontainer(s). The container may be set on or shallowly in the ground, inwhich case, the openings 615 in the container will tend to be low on thecontainer. Alternatively, the container may be deeper, in which caselower openings 615 will tend to capture water deeper in thehill-side/shore, or openings may be provided elsewhere in the container.The samplers and discs may be provided in a stand or other holdersinside the container, and the container may have a lid, for removal ofthe samplers.

COMMENTS AND EXAMPLES

The above-described sampler systems and certain other sampler systems ofthe invention allow retrieval of the samplers and/or the resin/adsorbentfor laboratory analysis of the elements, compounds, or othercontaminants or molecules adsorbed or otherwise captured by theresin/adsorbent to provide data from various locations in theenvironment. Said various locations include various depths in water orheights in the air, and over various amounts of time based on theplacement and retrieval schedule for the samplers. Decision-makersresponsible for natural resource damage assessments may benefit from thecombination of extended-time adsorbent(s) in the samplers, plus thepreferred telemetry/GPS-linked remote sensor discs, because thecombination provides an assessment team with real-time response data(such as dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, soil moisture, and/or otherremote sensing) plus “accumulated data” (contaminant identities andconcentrations achieved by extended-time contact of the adsorbent(s)with the environment) from the ion-exchange/adsorbent samplers.

Embodiments of the sampler system may be used for water, soil, sediment,air, and gaseous emissions studies, in any medium that allowscontaminants to pass into the sampler to contact the resin/adsorbent.The sampler system may be used, for example, for water qualitydetermination and remediation in watersheds, water bodies such as lakes,reservoirs, streams, bays, marshes, saltwater, fresh water,surface-water run-off, and sewers or storm drain systems. The samplersystems may be used, for example, for air quality determination andremediation in neighborhoods and industrial sites. The sampler systemmay be used, for example, for soil or sediment monitoring, for example,in river-beds, along shore-lines, and near waste disposal and industrialsites. The sampler system may be used, for example, in agriculturalregions, for monitoring of pesticides and herbicides and fertilizerrun-off, and other chemical issues. The sampler system may be used, forexample, for Publically Owned Treatment Works (POTW) and NationalPollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) discharge. The samplersystem may be used, for example, to monitor dangerous or illegaleffluents, either liquid or gaseous, from homes or other buildings, forexample, by positioning samplers in a sewer system, in trees or otherlocations.

In the case of water monitoring, use of certain embodiments of theinvented system may be used as a supplement to, or instead of, theconventional method of taking grab-samples of water in the case of watermonitoring, and thus may improve monitoring of water quality,contaminants, and other environmental issues. These improvements mayresult from the sampler being in contact with the water or watershedover an extended period of time, instead of only taking a small “spotsample” associated with an instant in time. The sampler system may beleft in contact with the water/watershed for hours, days, or weeks,during which time the preferred real-time sensors may stream data on pH,oxygen, temperature, and in some embodiments chemical detection data,for example, to the monitoring research station, and, after which time,the ion-exchange resin sampler may be retrieved and studied. Thiscombination of data, that is, streamed data over time, plus analysis ofthe ion-exchange resin sample that has contacted said water/watershedover generally the same amount of total time, provides an improved“view” and understanding of the environment being testing. The samplersystem allows these dual modes of testing, and this resulting improvedview/understanding, with surprisingly simple sampling and sensingequipment that is adaptable to many different environments and to alarge area and volume of said water/watershed. The ability to test alarge area and volume, with multiple samplers over an extended time, andthe ability to compare the sampler system data to grab sample data,further enhances water quality testing and monitoring.

Users of the invented system may have the benefit of time-measuredmass-balance data sets, using the time-accumulated values ofcontaminants/chemical determined by laboratory analysis of theion-exchange resin that has been left in place for hours, days orweeks/months to accumulate contaminants. Also, the users may have datafrom the real-time sensor discs that report environmental conditions orother physical or chemical conditions for recording over said hours,days, or weeks/months, preferably via a real-time telemetry and GPSsystem communicating with the laboratory or monitoring headquarters.Said telemetry preferably comprises one or more wireless data transfermechanisms (for example, using radio, hypersonic or infrared systems),but may also or instead include data transferred over other media, suchas a telephone or computer network, optical link or other wiredcommunications.

The preferred cylindrical design allows the sampler to be inserted on acable, rod, frame member, or other support member, for placement inwater or another area to be studied. Cables, with an optional weightnear the end of the cable, may be optimal for testing/monitoring a bodyof water, as gravity will maintain the desired orientation of the cable,samplers, and sensing discs. Rods or rigid members may be optimal fortesting/monitoring a sewer, marsh, or other area that require, or aretested better with, more control of placement initially and throughoutthe extended testing period. For most of the uses listed herein, thesampler will be made out of a chemical-resistant plastic that iscompatible with the necessary leaching chemicals to extract thecontaminants from the ion-exchange resin in the lab. Optionally, thesampler may be made to be disassembled, either in the laboratory or atthe environmental site, so that the packets/sleeves or granules may beremoved and replaced with fresh resin/adsorbent.

The sampler ion-exchange resin or other adsorbent, and the optional butpreferred sensor discs, will be selected and tested for adsorption anddetection, respectively, of various contaminants/chemicals, to match theneeds of the client and project. Examples of possible contaminants andenvironmental applications for the invented environmental samplerinclude the following: petroleum and petroleum by-products; heavymetals; organics; items of interest for national security; otherorganics (volatiles and semi-volatiles); radionuclide analysis; nutrientrun-off (hypoxia studies); bacteria indications; herbicide and pesticideapplications; trace contaminants such as fisheries and water qualityanalysis; tracking by products of illegal drug manufacturing (e.g.“meth” by-products being illegally discharged into a city's waste watertreatment facility); and/o trace chemical elements associated withclimate change efforts within environmental media.

A single resin/adsorbent may be provided in a single sampler or inmultiple samplers, wherein the resin/adsorbent is provided as loosegranules/particles or in one or more packets. If multipleresins/adsorbents are used in a given sampler, the resins/adsorbents maybe mixed together or layered in multiple beds, or housed in separatepackets/sleeves, or connected packets/sleeves, according to a customizedtesting composition and plan. All the samplers for a given environmentalmedia may contain the same resin/adsorbent or some or all of themultiple samplers in that environmental media may contain differentresins/adsorbents. Packets/sleeves may be made of permeablefabric/material that is packed with the resin/adsorbent and slid insidethe sampler, with the packets/sleeves optionally containing multiplecompartments, for example, by compartments being sewn or otherwiseconnected.

One or more samplers may then be placed in the environmental media (thewater, liquid, air, gasses) at pre-selected depths and locations, bymeans of a retrievable support system. Typically, multiple samplerscontaining the same composition(s) and arrangement of resin(s) will beinstalled in the environmental media at said pre-selected depths andlocations, in order to “view” the various locations in the environmentalmedia over the extended time period with the same resin(s)/adsorbent(s).“Retrievable” means that the user may retrieve each and/or all samplersat the desired time from the environmental media, by lifting, reeling,or otherwise extracting the support structure, to which the samplers areattached, preferably by pulling the support system. The support systemstypically will be categorized as tethered systems or fixed systems. Intethered systems, the samplers are connected to a cable or flexiblesupport, using a weight or other attachment to a peripheral structure sothat the cable/flexible support does not float significantly out of thedesired depth/location. In most tethered systems, the samplers are heldgenerally in place, but some movement may be experienced due to currentsand or waves. In a fixed system, the samplers are fixed to a rod, frame,or other rigid structure and will tend to move very little or not at allrelative to the environmental media.

Tethered or fixed support systems may be pulled or otherwise extractedby means of manual or mechanized pulling (or less commonly pushing) ofsaid support structure. Both tethered and fixed systems allow the systemto be placed in fixed or substantially fixed locations from which thesampler(s) can be easily retrieved following the sampling campaign.

Examples are shown below of how embodiments of the invented system mayhelp in current challenges presented to the communities world-wide.

Example I River and Tributary Management

In FIG. 8 there are schematically depicted locations of samplers 10according to one, but not the only, embodiment of the invention that maybe placed in rivers R and tributaries T for watershed management.Samplers containing ion exchange resin(s), remote sensing discs, andtelemetry apparatus are suspended along a cable from a buoy and anchoredin the bottom sediment of the river and tributaries. Samplers suspendedwithin the water are arranged at various locations within the watershedarea, for example, on one or more cable systems such as those discussedearlier in this document. Sampler systems such as those drawn in FIGS.4-6, and 7 are candidates for this river and tributary environment. Thetransversely-orientated samplers in FIG. 7 may work well in such anapplication, due to the currents of the rivers/tributaries.

Sampler positions are used to establish baseline ecological conditionsand to identify sources of environmental contaminants or pollutants. Inthis embodiment of the invention, multiple samplers may be suspendedfrom the cable with each sampler containing specifically formulatedion-exchange resins tailored appropriately to measure nutrient loading,herbicide, or pesticide concentrations, heavy metals, organic compounds,radionuclides, or other unique pollutants or environmental contaminantsof concern.

Example II 2-4-D Application for Treating Noxious Milfoil within Lakesand Watersheds

In a lake or other water body WB, schematically portrayed in FIG. 9,samplers 10, including single samplers but more preferably assemblies ofsamplers, may be placed at multiple depths along one or more cables, forexample, as in the configurations shown in FIGS. 4 and 6A-C. Multiplecables and/or assemblies of cables allow redundant data, data in variouslocations in the lake/watershed, and/or time-phased data collection.Samplers can be suspended in a lake or other aquatic environment tomanage application and treatment of noxious aquatic vegetation (e.g.,Milfoil). Samplers are used to determine concentration and dispersion(both surface and depth) of 2-4-D or other herbicides used to treatMilfoil, specifically the amount of herbicide available for uptake bythe Milfoil. Samplers may be placed outside a Milfoil-treatment zone Zof the water body WB, as well as inside the zone Z, to monitor movementof herbicides from the zone. Over time a (e.g., 8 hours, 24 hours, 48hours following treatment application), samplers may be removed andanalyzed to evaluate time-phased dispersion and concentration.

For redundant data, the user would lower/install cables in closeproximity to each other, wherein each cable would have samplers anddiscs at generally the same level (for example, 5 feet, 10 feet, 15feet, and 20 feet, for example). For time-phased date collection, cablescould be lowered at different times, and/or far apart in differentlocations that are expected to be in the flow path of a chemical orcontaminant, for example. Or, different resins/adsorbents may be put inthe samplers of different cables, but preferably with the cables closetogether, for adsorbing different chemical/contaminants at generally thesame place at the same time. Depicted in this embodiment are samplerssuspended in a lake or other aquatic environment to manage applicationand treatment of noxious aquatic vegetation (e.g., Milfoil). Samplersare used to determine concentration and dispersion (both surface anddepth) of 2-4-D or other herbicides used to treat Milfoil. Over time(e.g., 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours following treatment application),samplers are removed and analyzed to evaluate dispersion andconcentration, that is, the location and amounts ofchemical(s)/contaminant(s). Remote sensing discs (to measure physicalparameters such as, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, andtemperature) may be added to the cables, with one of each type ofdesired sensor preferably located at or very near a sampler, so that thedata from the sensor discs sent by telemetry may be associated andcorrelated with the laboratory analysis of the resin/adsorbent from therespective sampler.

Example III Detection of Methamphetamine Production or Other Chemicalsof Concern in Sanitary Sewer Systems

As shown schematically in FIG. 12A, samplers, including samplerassemblies of samplers, may be placed in commercial and residentialsewer pipe to monitor discharge or contaminants of concern, includingenvironmental pollutants associated with NPDES and POTW monitoring. Thesamplers may be placed in the sewer pipes HS from individual buildingsor homes H, and/or in the main sewer line SL. One example is theidentification of methamphetamine and by-products associated with itsmanufacturing. Waste water treatment plants across the U.S. cannot treatfor every illicit drug and/or residual pharmaceutical compounds.Municipalities have to dilute and blend water from the treatmentfacility rather than incur costly treatment systems. The accumulation ofcompounds is causing grave concerns within municipal watersheds, andtraditional sampling methods are primarily grab samples that onlycapture the compounds in the flow at the brief time of sampling.Samplers according to embodiments of the invention, containingspecifically-formulated ion-exchange resins may be used as a positiveindicator for items of concern.

As shown in FIG. 12A, sampler(s) may be provided in individual sewerpipes SP from suspect or previously-problematic buildings, to test theeffluent from the building. Or, sampler(s) may be placed in the mainsewer line SL, at predetermined intervals, so that detection ofchemicals by a particular sampler (for example 10-2 in FIG. 12A) but notby sampler 10-1 and to a lesser extent sampler 10-3, will indicate thatthe source of the chemicals is likely to be building zone BZ. This way,sampler placement may help narrow the many possible problematicdischarge points, to a determination of one or a few suspected ordetermined point(s) where problematic chemicals and/or chemicalby-products are being discharged to the sewer.

As shown in FIG. 12B, samplers may be lowered through a man-hole orcleanout structure CL that may comprise a vertical pipe tied to amanhole on a street, alley or parking lot. The sampler(s) may be affixedto a cable or threaded rod and lowered into the effluent stream within ahorizontal pipe/sewer-line. A single sampler may be provided in thehorizontal pipe/line, or multiple samplers may be provided at variouslevels relative to ground level to measure/monitor sewer liquidcomposition/contaminants during normal low-flow conditions and/orhigh-flow conditions. This way, one or more samplers may contact theeffluent that flows through the pipe and into a waste water treatmentplant or discharged to an approved source (as listed within an approvedpermit). The sampler(s) may be fixed to, or weighted to rest in, aposition such as the low flow point within the pipe to capturecontaminants of interest such as heavy metals. Or, the sampler(s) can beallowed to float within a range of flow. In the case of a floatingsampler(s), the sampler(s) will float on the surface and can then beused to detect organics and materials that have a specific gravity lessthan water and, therefore, would be expected to be floating on thesurface of the effluent stream of the waste water. The sampler(s) is/areretracted from the pipe/line, so that the used resin can be removed foranalysis, and the resin can be replaced with fresh resin; this way, thesampling campaign can continue uninterrupted allowing for 24/7 detectionof contaminants.

A specialized mechanism may be used to deploy certain embodiments ofsamplers in a pipe or underground vessel. For example, as shown in FIG.13, a specialized deployment arm DA driven by a motor M may move one ormore samplers to the bottom of the sewage line, thus, placing thesampler into the discharge flow. The sampler may be left in the low flowsection of a sewer system and can detect the discharge of contaminants24/7 to allow agencies to pinpoint areas of concern for compliance. Tocreate a floating embodiment, the sampler may be contained in aretention cage RC that retains the sampler in the cage but lets it floatup and down to some extent with the liquid level in the sewer line, asdiscussed above.

Samplers may be used for, but not limited to, measuring for illegal drugrelated by-products nutrient loading (such as Hypoxia concerns inwatersheds), herbicide/pesticides, heavy metals, organic compounds,radionuclide's, and chemicals and chemical by-products important thatare a concern to national security, drinking water safety, and/or otherconcerns. An adaptation that includes remote sensing discs may includethe measurement of pH, conductivity, organics and chemical indicatorssuch as nitrogen and phosphorus.

An adaptation could include remote sensing discs, similar to thosediscussed above, to measure pH, conductivity, organics and heavy metalsand to send measurements/data by telemetry to a lab, headquarters, orother distant facility.

Example IV Ion Exchange Resins for Organic Elements

Applications may include the selection of ion-exchange resins fororganic elements, for example, a resin such as “Ambersorb 575” which isa synthetic adsorbent that works well for organic materials andsolvents, “Amberlite XAD7HP” resin is used for a wider range of organicmaterials, and a compound such as “Ambersorb 563” works equally well fororganics although it is harder to recover. Typically hot water oralcohol is used to extract the compounds from the resin. In thisexample, the ion exchange cylinder (sampler cylinder) would be placed inthe top layer of the watershed allowing the resin to come into contactwith the compounds of interest. Without a specific compound of interest,Ambersorb 575 could be combined with Ambersorb 563 to create a blend fora wide range of compounds. The resin sampler would be replaced every 7days allowing for an evaluation of damage and/or impact to theenvironment. Continual baseline assessments would be the goal toevaluate natural attenuation and/or remediation and treatmentefficiencies for the area being evaluated.

Remote sensing systems for dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivityand oxidation and reduction potential sensors can be used to present asubset of environmental conditions that will provide useful dataassociated with water quality and the general health of the environment.

Example V Heavy Metals

In this example, a resin would be selected for a watershed next to anenvironmental cleanup site such as mine tailings adjacent to a stream.In this instance, a resin may be selected that is titled “AmberliteIRN-150” and is used for inorganic and specifically for heavy metals.The samplers would be attached to the buoy system, however, depths ofresin samplers would be varied to ensure that one sampler is placed atthe stream bottom due to the density of the heavy metal particulates.Once again a baseline sampling campaign would be conducted allowing forthe removal and replacement of the resin sampler every seven days. Inthis case, it may be elected to place additional samplers within a nearsurface collection container within a valley or canyon at a higherelevation than the streambed. Additionally, it is likely that multiplesamplers could be placed within the soil and near surface vadose zone totrack the presence of existing contaminant migration efforts from thesite in question.

Remote sensing systems that could compliment the evaluation may includesensor discs for pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, totalsuspended solids (TSS), ammonium, and oxidation and reduction potential,to assist in tracking the metallic pollution of surface and groundwatersources.

Example VI Air and Gaseous Emissions Monitoring

FIGS. 14-16 depict samplers provided in air and/or in places whereincontaminants enter the air. FIG. 14 shows a sampler with sensor discshung in a tree, for monitoring air quality. FIG. 15 shows sampler withsensor discs both in a tree and hung nearby by a hook or other hangerprovided in the ground. FIG. 16 shows a sampler provided in a smokestackof a factory/utility to measure a continuous as well as an intermittentdischarge event(s). Also in FIG. 16 is shown a sampler hanging from ahook provided in the ground to monitor air quality down-wind of thefactory/utility. In these and other ways, samplers preferably withdiscs, may be suspended in residential areas, agricultural areas, forestor primitive areas, and/or in industrial areas, to monitor air generalquality and specific emission sources. In industrial areas, samplers maymonitor stack/chimney, vents, and/or flares that emit dischargesassociated with applicable air monitoring permits, and other dischargesassociated with unwanted discharge to the environment (e.g. globalwarming).

Samplers may be configured to measure environmental parameters such asgas-phase release measures associated with manufacturing industries,herbicide/pesticide application including drift studies, organiccompound releases, and radionuclides. As discussed above in thisdocument, remote sensing discs may allow for the monitoring of physicalparameters such as oxygen, CO2, pH, and temperature, and GPS apparatusand telemetry can provide real-time data and positioning. Telemetry maybe used to integrate a system of samplers and remote sensor discs toprovide real-time composite data over large geographical areas.

Example VII Time Release and Phase Detection Studies

Embodiments of the invention may provide capabilities for time releaseand phase detection studies, by using the embodiments to includecomparing standard grab sample data to the extended-time data obtainedwith the embodiments of the invented system. Said extended-time dataavailable from embodiments of the invention may include adsorption ofparticular chemicals/compounds by the resin/adsorbent in the sampler(tested later or intermittently at the lab) and may also includereal-time sensing of the same or related chemical/compounds by thesensing disc (data received by telemetry over the extended period). Thisis made possible by obtaining real-time sensors that are designed tosense the specific chemical/compounds of interest, or to sense groups orgeneral types of compounds in which the chemicals/compounds fall.

Examples of specially-adapted real-time sensors would include sensorsfor chlorine, chloride and chlorophyll compounds, used as an indicatorof algal biomass and indicative of wastewater from industrial andNPDES/POTW facilities. Nitrate and nitrogen sensors may be used toevaluate nutrient loading associated with excess fertilizer applicationsand bacterial investigations, while suspended particulates, turbidity,total suspended solids (TSS) are also used as general sensors as anindicator of health and changing conditions. Phosphorous and nitratesensors may indicate the presence of organic wastes and stimulateoverproduction of aquatic plant growth when present in elevated levels.Ammonium sensors can be used for the evaluation of water quality forfisheries since small amounts are very lethal for species such as trout.Additionally, ammonium may indicate a discharge of waste water fromseptic systems, fertilizer runoff or sewage treatment facilities.Sensors of pH may measure the amount of hydrogen ions present andpresent an indication of the acidity of a substance. Conductivitysensors can be used to indicate environmental events such as undergroundfresh water aquifer near the ocean that could be an indication of saltwater intrusion. Oxidation and reduction potential can be measured andcan be used to correlate the life expectancy of bacteria in watersupplies and are useful to track the metallic pollution of surface andgroundwater sources.

Concentration-based data collected by remote sensing discs and parts permillion concentrations within the ion-exchange resin is normalizedagainst contaminate concentration per volume obtained through standardgrab samples. The ability to compare concentration per volume within agrab sample to the remote sensing disc data and ion-exchange resin dataallows the end users to compare and contrast the data in respect to timerelease, contaminate buildup, and phased detection of chemicals andcontaminants of concern. Phase detection is the normalization of datasets by comparing the affinity of a chemical to a given resin typewithin the invented sampler. The phase detection study is relevant sinceeach chemical (contaminate) is attracted to a given family of resins andresin types. Typically one resin is selected that allows for thedetection of specific contaminants of concern that are similar in theirnature (e.g. inorganic heavy metals). By understanding the affinity of aresin with the targeted chemical one can extrapolate contaminateconcentrations measured in the invented sampler to real-worldenvironmental concentrations.

Other time release/phase detection studies will be designed tounderstand how specific ion-exchange resin in the invented samplerreacts with a surface floating organic substance as compared to the samesubstance in a different phase within the same environmental media. Forexample, crude oil on the surface of water will be detected by theinvented sampler at a different concentration than the conglomerate ofcrude oil, dispersion chemicals, and water at depth (e.g., surface oiland a mixed compound of oil and dispersion chemicals currently beingseen in the recent Gulf Oil Spill).

Example VIII Time Release Buildup

Time release build-up refers to the ability of embodiments of thesampler resins to capture contaminate ions and cations over apre-defined time period. The use of the preferred ion exchange samplerprovides a data gathering platform not otherwise available. Thepreferred cylinder design, and preferred cylindrical orbendable/foldable bag, sleeve, or other packet(s) containing the resin,maximize contact of the resin with the environment and maximizecontaminant uptake by the resin. Resins are selected to target specificchemicals based upon their charge and affinity to a resin or a blend ofresins. Proper environmental management requires decision-makers to havean understanding of how environmental contaminates change over time. Theinvented system is capable of discriminating contaminate uptake overtime. Current EPA sampling methods are highly focused on grab samplingtechniques that do not consider the effect on natural resources by verysmall incremental buildups of contaminants and trace chemical elements.

The preferred cylinder sampler design also provides an improvedengineered contaminate collection platform that allows precise placementof the samplers into environmental media not otherwise readily achieved.One such condition is Hypoxia studies that take a look at micro nutrienttransfer and buildup in aquifers or watersheds that result in harm tonatural resources. Measuring the slow, time dependent buildup ofchemicals on a continuing basis can all be readily addressed with thissystem, for example, including consideration of various releasemechanisms such as a) illegal discharges, b) high flow and flood releaseevents such as runoff from surface agricultural areas and c) very smallconcentrations that accumulate over long periods of time. This may alsoinclude the ability to use the invented sampler as a detection tool thatcan obtain contaminant measurements from a “non-detect” condition asmeasured by traditional sampling methods.

Example IX Time Measured Mass Balance Data Sets

One of the simplest ways to describe the usefulness of the data is toconsider the use of time-dependent data sets. Within the field, userscan build mass balance buildup of contaminants and understand chemicalrelease/buildup curves by understanding 2-day, 5-day, and 10-day datasets. This would involve installing multiple samplers in theenvironmental media and retrieving sampler(s) at each of the 2-day,5-day, and 10-day marks, and comparing the resulting data to thereal-time data achieved from the sensor discs, and preferably alsocomparing to the data achieved from grab samples spaced throughout thosetime periods. When end-users understand the buildup or releasemechanisms as a function of time, flow and other environmental variables(temperature, pH . . . ) they can correlate the data into improved datasets.

Standard methods for accumulation and consideration of data sets arebased on methods that cannot provide an easy and cost-efficient mannerfor comparison. For example, recent concerns with unwanted algae growthwithin watersheds result in decision-makers trying to correlate howminiscule amounts of contaminants interact within the environment andcontribute to unsafe water supplies and the loss of recreationalopportunities. If regulatory agencies implement tools such asembodiments of the invented sampler system, they may obtain real-timedata with the sensor discs and can readily complement andcompare/contrast standard sampling techniques (e.g. an EPA test method),and preferably also compare/contract said real-time data and saidstandard sampling techniques (such as the EPA test) to the ion-exchangeresin sampler data.

Users of the sampler can use the knowledge gained by time-measured (forexample, 2, 5, 10-day data sets) and mass-buildup (e.g. the slowaccumulation of chemicals and contaminants within the resin) to graspand understand the problem statement/area. Once an agency or concernedparty understands that 90% of the problem is coming from a problem suchas leachate of contaminants from near surface septic systems on thewaterfront or from unwanted discharge to a watershed from a dairy fivemiles away, for examples, they can focus their attention on thesolution. The advantage with certain embodiments of the sampler is thedetection is continuous and not intermittent as with other systems. Inaddition, resin blends can be developed by the laboratory andindependently tested to confirm the use of modeling means and methods.

Another example is the release of bacteria and micro nutrients fromagricultural areas that feed into a watershed that may be “non-detect”using conventional systems, but can be measured and quantified by aremote system that includes embodiments of the invented system tomeasure small increases of contaminates over time. If a state agency orenvironmental manager knows that an algae bloom is due to five times theconcentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and other compounds of interestfrom a specific streambed, they can concentrate corrective measures inthat part of the system. The same is true in the areas where waterfrontseptic systems are failing, leaching into aquatic environments, andcontributing a significant contribution of problem contaminants. Byplacing embodiments of the sampler systems in core locations on thewaterfront, they can compare 7-10 day data to monitor and document therelative harm to the natural environment.

Example X Ion Exchange Resin Manufacturers and Resins Selection

Currently over 900+ types of resins manufactured worldwide. Strong orweak resins are specifically selected for their affinity to attractcations and anions of concern. There is a unique science associated withthe selection and blends of resins that can be created (see below) totarget groups of contaminants, and more preferably subsets of orindividual contaminants, of concern.

Resins and resin blends may be selected and tested based upon theaffinity to attract certain compound(s), or compounds groups, ofinterest. Many resin and resin blends will work and selection of manyresin and resin blends will be within the average skill in the artwithout undue experimentation.

Example XI Sensors and Sensor Signal Transmission

The preferred real-time sensors may be similar in design to conventionalsensor probes. Some real-time sensors are set for wireless operation,while others have hard wires to the telemetry system (wireless vs. wiredis primarily a cost issue). Many real-time sensors that will beeffective in embodiments of the invention are commercially available andobtainable by those of average skill in the art.

Wireless and wired systems can be manufactured and used that rely onremote telemetry or wireless internet access. Standard, known techniquesfor remote transmission of data may be used.

Example XII Advantages to Cylindrical Container

The preferred cylindrical system is not affected by orientation andprovides 360 degrees of coverage within an effluent stream or otherenvironmental media. The hollow stem allows the cylinder to be used withdifferent support systems depending on the environment anddeployment/access options. The hollow passageway of the samplerstem/post may be sized relative to the support system so that there is atight fit between stem/post and support system, but many embodimentswill also or instead have a fastener to fixedly connect the sampler tothe support system so that it doesn't slide or fall relative to thesupport system. Some fasteners will allow rotation of the sampler aroundthe support system (cable, rod, arm) but not axial sliding or falling.The preferred cylindrical design for the resin sampler and the sensorsdiscs allows for precise placement in wastersheds and effluent streams,wherein orientation (rotation) of the cylindrical shapes around theiraxis is not a problem or an issue.

Another major advantage of the cylindrical sampler shape is that packetsof ion exchange resin can be readily changed out by disassembly of thecylinder housing and pulling the packets axially out of the housingscreen. These removable packets are design to allow for rapid andcomplete extraction of the chemical from the resin in that acids,solvents, and other materials can be safely used and the packets ofresin placed underneath a drip system or inserted into a bath forextraction and removal of the target elements from the resin. Thesampler housing design allows for fast insertion and removal ofmultiple, different, interchangeable resins into the same (“universal”)cylindrical housing.

Shapes other than cylindrical will work for alternative embodiments ofthe ion-exchange container and the sensors. For example, spherical,oblong, or rectangular sampler housings may be used. However, thecylindrical design is preferred to 1) allow maximum contact with theenvironmental medium being sampled and 2) to accommodate a variety ofengineered support and retrieval platforms to address multipleenvironmental media and deployment options. The cylindrical designallows contact over 360 degrees while allowing the resin sampler to bemated with the sensing discs in coaxial relationship andclosely-axially-adjacent. The hollow cylindrical sampler housing allowsfor insertion upon a cable or other axially-extending device. Inaddition, the hollow axial passage through the housing allows othertypes of fixing/attachment to a support/retrieval platform, for example,providing a cable, wire, or bracket through the passage that is thentied or otherwise fastened to the platform. A major shape advantage tothe cylindrical sampler and circular-disc shapes is that these shapesprovide very long-term use in the environment though theresin-containing spaces, and membrane or sensor probe-containing shapesare compact; this reduces the size and diameter of the sampler andreal-time sensors, and will allow their use in areas and media notcurrently attainable by current systems.

Resin/adsorbent systems and real-time sensor systems can be modifiedinto other specialized designs, however they may not be as adaptable tothe platforms mentioned within this application.

Example XIII Use of Multiple Ion Exchange Materials in a System

If multiple resins are used in the same sampler housing, the packets ofdifferent resins will be separated following use, for their respective,different leaching and chemical extraction processing. It may be moreconvenient to instead use multiple sampler housings, each with adifferent resin or resin blend to sample for multiple contaminates ofconcern. This way, the entire sampler housing with its contained resinmay be put through the leaching and extraction processes, or, the resinpacket of a single-type of resin may be removed from the housing andprocessed without the issues of separation of resins or resin packets.

Example XIV Resin Packaging and Processing

The preferred packets that contain resin are hollow cylinders or abendable/curvable pad/pillow, preferably with vertically-extendingcompartments or “sleeves”. The packet/pad preferably is, or maybend/curve to be, a hollow generally cylindrical shape that is 1.5 to 2inches in diameter with a nominal 0.25 inch wall thickness, for fittinginto the annular space in the sampler of about the same dimensions.Multiple-compartment packets may include 2-10 sleeves, for example, withthe preferred maximum being six vertical sleeves (for example, 6vertical sleeves, with one positioned generally every 60 degrees aroundthe 360 degree cylinder).

Many resins of current interest are granular, with the grain sizevarying from resin to resin, so that some resins may also be consideredpowders. Therefore, the term “granules” or “granular” in this disclosuremay include granules, powders, and various particles. In the future,membranes and/or solid-profile adsorbents (for example, solid supportswith the active materials on the support or made of the activematerials) may be commercially available for the methods of theinvention, and are included within the broad scope of the invention as areplacement for the granular resin/adsorbent. A membrane-based systemmay reduce the size of the unit, allowing for a greater flexibility inenvironmental media, offering miniscule sampling modules that can beglued, fastened, and/or otherwise fixed, for example bycommercially-available means, onto equipment such as drill strings,spillways, and other fixed systems within effluents and media ofconcern.

The benefit of the thin sleeve/cylinder packet of resin/adsorbent,containing currently-available granular or powder resins, is that it canbe easily compressed and placed within a ¾ inch (nominal) diametersample collection vial. By compressing the packet and resin containedtherein, the end user can place the material within the vial, oroptionally collapse the flexible packet into a flat shape, and then thechemicals may be leached and extracted from the resin using solvents andacids or other chemicals appropriate for the resin being utilized.

Example XV Resin/Adsorbent Analysis

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, there are shown some, but the not theonly, laboratory systems for analyzing packets of resin/adsorbents, orfor analyzing the resin/adsorbent still contained in a sampler. In FIG.17, a multiple-compartment packet of resin 30 is installed in a resinholder RH, so that a leaching solution may be dripped or otherwiseflowed, in a controlled means such as by a valve V, down into the resin.The leachate LCH drips or flows into a vial or other container, forsubsequent analysis of the contaminants/chemicals removed from theresin. In FIG. 18, a sampler 10 is set between a lower tray LT and anupper tray UT. Leaching solution flows in a controlled manner throughholes in the upper tray, down into the sampler, preferably through theapertures (40 in FIGS. 1-3), for contact with the resin and removal ofcontaminants and chemicals captured by the resin. The leachate liquidflows out of the sampler again through apertures in the platform (24 inFIGS. 1-3), and into the lower tray. The leachate flows from holes inthe lower tray to the vial/container. This way, the resin/adsorbent doesnot need to be removed from the sampler enclosure in order to be“analyzed”. “Analyzing” the resin/adsorbent, in such embodiments,comprises removing the contaminants/chemicals/compounds from theresin/adsorbent into (by means of) a leachate, allowing the leachate toflow or otherwise be separated from the sampler, and then analyzing theleachate by known laboratory methods to determine thecontaminants/chemicals/compounds.

Example XVI Using Multiple Sensors in a System, Spacers Between Sensors

Multiple sensor discs will be used in many embodiments of the inventedsampling system. Where required by connectivity concerns, insulatormaterials such as plastic, composite or fiber-based materials will beused to segregate the materials to minimize interference. The spacers 52shown in the figures are an example of such materials/insulators.Membrane sensors may become the preferred embodiment of the sensor discsin the future. As such, combining multiple arrays within a cylindricalremote sensing array would complement the platforms mentioned withinthis submittal; therefore, while multiple sensor disc are shown in thefigures, a single sensor body comprising such an array or multiplemembranes of sensor materials, could be used. Spacers or insulatingmaterial could be used internally in the single sensor body, forsegregation efforts would be for the purpose of connectivity andminimizing signal interference.

Example XVII Motorized Arm for the Sewer System

As discussed above for FIG. 13, a motorized retrieval system may be usedto guide and improve the ease of placement and retrieval of thesamplers. A battery-operated drill-type mechanism can be used (forwardand reverse settings) to place and retrieve the systems from thesanitary/industrial sewer system. A top and bottom nut will be attachedbelow and above the spacers that retain the ion-exchange resin samplers.A corkscrew rod (helix/worm gear) may be attached to the cabling systemwhere it is desirable to continually place and retrieve samples foreffluent sampling. A hand-held drill unit may reverse the nut assemblyon the corkscrew rod to retrieve the samplers without binding, while thesame is true for placement (by simply changing the direction of thedrill). A bottom and top spacer may be fixed to the top and bottom ofthe cable allowing the operator to easily know when the sampler is atthe desired placement position.

The advantages associated with a motorized device such as this mayinclude: rapid deployment and re-deployment; supports long-term samplingstations; allows for easy replacement of samplers without removing thedeployment fixture; can be adjusted to accommodate different depths orsampling locations; allows multiple samplers to be deployed at multipledepths; and/or used in residential sewer or discharge piping providingready access to the desired sampling medium with minimal disruption ofsystems.

Example XVII Retention Cage for Floating in a Pipe or Vessel

A retention cage is one option that allows a sampler cylinder(s) tofloat as the liquid level changes, so that the sampler always remains incontact with the medium being sampled. This concept is deployed inenvironments that constantly or frequently fluctuate, such as but notlimited to, liquid levels in sewer or discharge pipes and/or vessels,tanks or basins. The retention cage concept is more clearly defined bythe following two designs.

The sampler cylinder is placed in a fluctuating environment within amanufactured cage. The cage itself may be cylindrical in design, forexample, with small circular cutouts integrated into the design whichwould allow liquid to easily flow through the cage. The retention cageis nominally 2 feet long for a sewer pipe, although it could bemanufactured in shorter or longer lengths should the system see smalleror larger fluctuations in effluent flow conditions. A large tank orbasin may need a much longer cage. The retention cage is fixed to acable/rod at a position the captures the minimum and maximum flowconditions for a given system. The cage simply retains thecylinder/sampler and allows the resin system to float at the optimallevel to capture organics or other chemicals of concern. The buoyancyand specific gravity of the sampler is designed to free float on thesurface, for example, for the resin to contact the organic layer thatmay be floating on the surface of water.

Another retention concept is to manufacture the cylinder out ofchemically resistant material (e.g. plastic/Teflon™) that allows thesampler to freely float between two widely-spaced locking washers thatare attached to a cable or rod. The retrievable cable or rod system canbe used with both fixed placement cylinders and this secondary retentiondevice that allows the upper most sampler(s) to float on the top layerof the liquid. Fixed spacers are attached below the “low flow” point onthe system with a top spacer affixed to correspond to the maximum flowheight. The internal diameter of the cylinder passageway can be enlargedto provide clearance (reducing friction) and improving the free-floatingcharacteristic necessary to allow the top organic sampler to remain onthe surface of the liquid flow. Spacing of the fixed spacers allows thesampler to float on top of the effluent flow at all times allowing thesystem to be in contact with organic materials whether they be in lowflow or high flow conditions.

Especially-Preferred Embodiments

FIGS. 19-32 portray alternative samplers according to certain,especially-preferred embodiments of the invention. These samplers havemany features in common with the samplers described above, as will beunderstood from this Description and the Drawings.

Sampler 700 comprises a main body 702 and a cap 704 that cooperate tocontain resin/adsorbent inside an annular space 720 formed between anouter sidewall 730 and an inner member 740. The outer sidewall 730comprises circumferential upper ring 732, circumferential lower ring734, and axial struts 736, and axial screen 740 that extends all aroundthe circumference of the main body 702, inside the rings 732, 734 andstruts 736 that serve as reinforcement and securement structure forconnection of, or abutment of, the screen. Although the screen is insideand abutting against these listed components, the rings 732, 734 andstruts 736 plus the screen 738 may be collectively be called the “outersidewall” or “axial outer sidewall” or “outermost sidewall” of the mainbody 702. Other designs and configurations may be used in certainembodiments to provide an outer sidewall that is substantially orentirely fluid-permeable, and various materials that allowfluid-permeability may be used for the fluid-permeable portion of theouter sidewall.

FIGS. 22-23A show sampler 700 in a side view, a cross-sectional sideview, and detail view, wherein loose resin R is shown in the annularspace 720. The bottom of annular space 720 is closed by a bottom end,radially-extending platform screen 750 supported at multiple locationsaround the circumference by platform struts 752 that are spaced aroundthe circumference of the lower end of the main body 702. This screen 750and the platform struts 752 may be said to be the “platform” or “bottomend-cover” that form the lower radial structure of the main body andthat prevent resin R from falling out of the annular space.

The cap 704 comprises a radially-extending cap screen 760 that issupported/reinforced by the cap outer rim 762 and itsgenerally-cylindrical, downwardly-depending rim extension 764, inner rim766, and the spaced-apart cap struts 768 connecting the inner rim 766 tothe outer rim 762. Struts 766 are axially-extending plates that extendbetween the inner and outer rims 766 and 762 underneath the screen 760.Rim extension 764 depends from outer rim 762, and comprises resilientseals or friction-members 770 that engage circumferential recesses 772in the inner surface of the upper ring 732 of the main body 702, toremovably retain the cap 704 on the main body 702 of the sampler. Tabs769, 769′ may be provided on the cap 704 to protrude into slots 790 inthe upper end of the inner member 740, and the recesses 790′ in theouter ring 732, respectively, for example, for indexing the cap to theinner member.

The at least one screen used in/on the preferred samples, may be one ormore of an outer sidewall, a cap screen, and a platform screen, forexample, and may be of various mesh/opening sizes. Typically the screenmesh size(s) are the nominal range of 100 to 500 micron openings, with apreferred opening size being in the range of 200-300, or about microns,as described above for sampler 10. For example, screen utilizing athread count of 64 by 64 per inch with a thread diameter of 127 micronshas been used effectively. A 500 micro mesh screen has been used forindustrial water quality tests. Within the preferred range of 100-500micron screen openings, the screen opening size may be chosen fordifferent resins and different soils and/or water, to provide minimalinfiltration of soil into the sampler, for example. The screen allowsfluid, and, in certain embodiments small particles of soil and sand andother solids to infiltrate into the sampler to reach theresin/adsorbent, but prevents larger materials such as rocks, pebbles,and sticks to reach the resin/adsorbent. After removal from thesoil/water, the sampler may be thoroughly cleaned with a high pressuredeionized water spray, to remove said small particles of soil and sandand other non-resin solids, before proceeding to the next analyticalstep.

Therefore, it may be noted that certain embodiments of the inventedsampler comprise fluid-permeable walls or wall portions in multiplelocations, preferably at the outer axial sidewall, and at both the topand bottom ends of the sampler. This enables excellent access of fluidto the resin/adsorbent inside the sampler and also allows excellentaccess of solvent or other analytical fluids to the resin/adsorbent inthe laboratory, for example flow of solvent axially down through the topradial wall (cap), into the resin/adsorbent bed, and then flow ofleachate out of the sampler through the bottom radial wall (platform).Less preferably, the cap and platform may be solid andnon-fluid-permeable, as long as the outer sidewall is substantially orentirely fluid-permeable. “Substantially” in this context means theouter sidewall is at least 60 percent, and more preferably 70-99 percentfluid-permeable material.

One may see to best advantage in FIGS. 20, 21, and 23, that both mainbody 702 and cap 704 have an axial bore or “axial passage” 782, 784(respectively), wherein the axial passage 784 of the cap 704 receive andextends around the inner member 740 that extends the entire length ofsampler 700. Thus, the sampler has an open-ended axial passagewaythroughout its entire length.

Alternative samplers 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 are shown in FIGS.26, 27, 28, 29 and 29A, and 32, respectively, and are shown withouttheir outer sidewall screens and top screens, for easy in seeing theother components. Alternative cap and main body engagement examples 1300and 1400 are shown as partial details in FIGS. 30 and 31. It will beunderstood by viewing these figures, that these alternative samplerswill be similar to those described earlier in this document and may beoperated and used much the same.

Sampler 800 comprises a cap 804 that slides down around the inner member840, wherein four, downward-protruding flexible tabs 850 of the innermember flex inward during downward sliding of the cap, and then snapback out over the cap, to retain the cap on the sampler. The tabs 850will be pushed inward to move their bottom ends out of the way of thecap for removal of the cap.

Sampler 900 comprises a cap 904 that slides down around the innermember, pushing two upwardly-protruding flexible tabs 950 inwardly.Then, to remove the cap, the tabs 950 will be pushed inward at their topends to pivot them sufficiently to allow the cap to be removed. One maynote that these tabs 950 form the upper end of the inner member 940protruding above the cap.

Sampler 1000 comprises a cap 1004 that slides down around theapproximately half-cylindrical extensions 1050 of the inner member 1040,to form a friction fit around said extensions 1050.

Sampler 1100, in FIGS. 29 and 29A, includes a cap 1104 that slides downaround the inner member 1140. Inner member 1140 has has a J-shaped notch1160 comprising an axial portion 1162 and a circumferential portion1164. An inward-extending cap protrusion 1170 of the inner rim 1172slides down through the axial portion 1162 of the notch, and uponrotation of the cap 1104, the protrusion 1170 slides circumferentiallyinto the circumferential portion 1164 of the J-shaped notch 1160, toretain the cap 1104 on the sampler 1100. FIG. 29A shows to bestadvantage the J-shaped notch 1160 and protrusion 1170, and the resultingcooperation between the cap and the sampler main body.

Sampler 1200, in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 32, comprises athreaded cap 1204 and a threaded inner member 1240 that cooperate toremoveably retain the cap on the sampler. Using threads 1252 of theinner member 1240 and threads 1254 of the cap 1204, the cap may bescrewed-onto, and screwed-off, of the main body 1202.

FIG. 30 shows a cross-sectional detail of an alternative sampler 1300,and its cap to main body cooperation. The cap 1304 slides down generallybetween the inner member 1340 and the top ring 1332 of the outersidewall, and a protrusion 1350 on the cap snaps into a recess 1352 inthe inner member for holding the cap on the sampler main body. An outersidewall screen 1338 a cap screen 1360 are visible in FIG. 30.

FIG. 31 shown a cross-sectional detail of an alternative sampler 1400,and its cap to main body cooperation. The cap is sufficiently flexiblethat it can be snapped onto the sampler main body, for example, like aflexible plastic lid is snapped on and off a margarine or coffee can.The flexible lip 1410 flexes to engage or be released from the upperring/edge 1420 of the main body. The inner circumference of the capincludes a protrusion 1430 that grips or snaps into/out-of engagementwith the inner member 1440. An outer sidewall screen 1438 and a capscreen 1460 are visible in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of a screw-intool, specifically, an auger-style sampler support/insertion unit 1500.In this embodiment, a single sampler, such as sampler 700 or anothersampler as described herein, is held on a support shaft 1510 of the toolbetween auger portions 1520, 1530 of the tool comprising auger flights1550. The sampler 700 is shown without the screens draw, but will beunderstood to include an outer sidewall screen, a cap screen, and abottom or “platform” screen, as are operable as described elsewhere inthis document. The sampler 700 receives the support shaft 1510 throughits passageway 782, so that the sampler slides onto the support shaft1510 and is retained, from sliding any significant amount on the suppershaft 1510, between (and by) relatively enlarged portions 1512, 1514(compared to the support shaft 1510 diameter) that are above and belowthe sampler, respectively. The upper auger portion 1520 comprises a mainshaft 1540 and helical flights 1550 surrounding the shaft 1540 multipletimes, an upper end 1560 adapted for connection to a drill, manualhandle, or other turning device, and a lower end adapted to be securedto the auger portion 1530 below by a pin and hole system (pin 1562,upper auger portion hole 1564, and lower auger portion hole 1566 inupper end 1568) that connects the two auger portions 1520, 1530 to eachother just above the sampler 700. The lower auger portion 1530 comprisespointed or sharpened driving tip 1570 at its bottommost end. One may seethe sampler tool 1500 assembled in FIG. 34, wherein insertion byrotating or “screwing” this tool into the ground will result in a singlesampler being inserted into the ground for sampling of the soilcondition, for example, to “sample” or “test” either contaminants ornutrients, by means of the water in the ground carrying saidcontaminants or nutrients to the resin/adsorbent in the sampler.

FIG. 35 is a side perspective view of an alternative auger-style samplersupport/insertion tool 1600, similar to that in FIGS. 33 and 34, whereinmultiple samplers 700 are received over, and held on, support shaftportions of the tool, between auger portions of the tool comprisingauger flights, and with a drill DR connected to the top end of the toolfor powering rotation of the tool 1600 into soil, sediment or otherground. This tool 1600 may be seen to comprise two auger portions 1620,1630 above the uppermost samplers, another auger portion 1640 betweenthe sets of upper and lower samplers, and a lowermost auger portion 1650at the bottom end of the tool.

FIG. 36 is a side perspective view of an alternative auger-style samplersupport/insertion tool 1600′, similar to that in FIG. 35, except thatthe tool is shorter and contains one fewer sets of auger flights, and amanual handle 1680 is fixed or otherwise connected to the main shaft ofthe tool. Thus, one may understand the auger portion 1630′ is similar toportion 1630 in FIG. 35, except that there may be a permanent ordetachable connection between the auger portion 1630′ and the handle1680 at connection 1682.

From FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 33-36 and this description, one may understandthat an sampler insertion tool may be provided that comprises at leastone “screw” or “auger” portion, and a sampler received on a supportportion of the tool, wherein rotating/turning the screw/auger portioninto the ground inserts the sampler into the ground. The sampler willtypically be made to have an outermost extremity of smaller diameterthan the auger flights, so that the sampler is not damaged during theinsertion into the ground. The insertion tool may comprise multiplescrew/auger portions, so that a sampler is in series between multiplescrew/auger portions. Or, there may be multiple samplers, includingmultiple samplers in sets of adjacent samplers, and those samplers orsets or samplers may be in series with screw/auger portions. One may seethat, because the goal is typically to insert samplers to differentdepths in the soil/sediment/ground, the samplers or sets of samplers maybe spaced apart to different positions along the length of the tool, forexample, one sampler or set of samplers nearer the driving tip of thetool, and one sampler or set or samplers near the handle/driver end ofthe tool, and possibly one or more samplers or sets of samplers at oneor more locations generally centrally located along the length of thetool. For example, one sampler/set may be about ¼ of the way along thelength of the tool (measured from the tip to the handle/driver), anothersampler/set may be about half way along the length, and anothersampler/set may be about ¾ of the way along the length. This will allowsoil/sediment/ground (and the water therein) testing at three differentdepths below the top surface of the ground, when the tool is “fully”inserted so that all the sampler/sets are beneath the top surface of theground. Or, using a tool such as tool 1600, and 1600′ will allowsoil/sediment/ground (and the water therein) testing generally at twodifferent depths below the top surface of the ground, when the tool is“fully” inserted so that all the sampler/sets are beneath the topsurface of the ground.

FIG. 37 portrays one embodiment of a spike-style samplersupport/insertion tool 1700, wherein multiple samplers 700 are held intwo sets of two samplers, the two sets being spaced apart on the toolshaft, by means of the shaft or an adapted portion thereof extendingthrough the passageways of the sampler to hold the sampler and preventor limit sliding of the sampler longitudinally on the tool. Theadaptation may be enlarged shaft zones above and below the sampler, orother means, such as pins, fasteners, ties, clips, or other latches orretainers. This tool is pushed into the ground, with there typicallybeing no benefit to rotating it into the ground, as it does not comprisescrews/threads/augers. The tool has a pointed/sharpened bottom end 1770,and the tool is typically hammered into the ground by impact on itsupper end 1760. Or, the upper end 1760 may be adapted or connected to ahandle or plate (not shown) that facilitates the tool being pushed,hammered, or otherwise forced into the ground.

FIG. 38 is a schematic view and specifications of flights of a preferredauger-style tool, which are specially adapted in certain embodiments ofthe invention, for installation by rotation/screwing into the groundwith minimal or no disruption of the soil/sediment/ground during theinstallation. Pitch length P is preferably 2-2.5 inches, auger diameterD is preferably 1.5-2 inches, and the radius R from the centerlongitudinal axis Ax to the outermost extremities of the flights ispreferably 0.75-1 inch. The main shaft on which the flights are providedmay be, for example, ⅜-½ inch diameter round stock or other bar/shaftmaterial. The thickness of the auger flight “blade material” ispreferably 1/16 inch- 3/16 inch. The auger flights are provided/formedso that angle Aa (herein called “auger angle”) is 29 degrees +/−6degrees, and angle Ab is therefore 61 degrees +/−6 degrees, wherein Aaplus Ab equal 90 degrees. Angle Ac is twice angle Aa. Angle Aa may beadjusted within said +/−6 degrees for different soils, but this range(Aa being 29 degrees +/−6 degrees) has been found to be especiallyeffective for most or all soil/sediment/ground compositions andcharacteristics, adapting the auger sampler tool for installation byrotation/screwing into the ground with minimal or no disruption of thesoil/sediment/ground. This minimal or no disruption means thatsoil/sediment/ground from one location/level below the upper surface ofthe ground is not carried to any lower level, and likewise not lifted toany higher level, so the sampling of the soil/water-in-the-soil is moreaccurate and representative of the conditions/chemicals/nutrients in thespecific soil/level each sampler is placed in. This way, the augersampler system with multiple samplers may test multiple levels in theground, and obtain a “profile” or “pattern” of theconditions/chemicals/nutrients at said multiple levels, rather than an“average” or a “blending” of said conditions/chemicals/nutrients. Byplacing multiple tools in multiple locations across a field or otherarea of ground, and by providing multiple samplers along the length ofeach tool, one may obtain data regarding the soil/field both acrosslarge portions of the field, or the entire field, and down thoughmultiple layers of the field.

General Comments

Detection methods and apparatus have been developed, for assessingpresence and buildup of contaminants and chemicals of concern. Themethods and apparatus may include, for example: assessing long termbuildup of chemicals; assessing nutrients in soil for plantgrowth/health; measuring miniscule amounts of materials not otherwisemeasured (considering as a function of the environment and environmentalmedia surrounding the sampler such as high stream and sewerflows—capturing ions and cations as they pass through the resin); use ofion-exchange resins for environmental monitoring purposes; seepage fromgroundwater tables; providing a time release capability by providing asystem that can demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment claims; anengineered system capable of remote sensing discs and wafers; a buoysystem supported by GPS and telemetry; an engineered system supported byGPS and telemetry; and/or a single sampler capable of providing a resincylinder that supports data collection for time release and phaseddetection studies with a need to integrate and compare the environmentaldata to real-time sensors that are part of an integral unit.

The sampler may contain a single ion-exchange resin bed/bag/sleeve, ormultiple ion-exchange resin beds/bags/sleeves for the detection ofmultiple environmental elements of concern. The enclosure/housing of thesampler may be manufactured out of multiple materials, for example,corrosion resistant elements such as stainless steel.

In certain embodiments, the sampler may be single one-piece unit wherethe ion exchange resin is placed in a non-removable housing (e.g.alleviating the need to handle potentially harmful materials such asanalyzing resin for radioactive materials therefore reducing personnelexposure concerns. The sampler may be attached to a cable or otherhardware allowing for precise placement within a watershed, sanitarysewer or in-stack monitoring (allowing for precise placement and ease ofretrieval).

Use of some embodiments of the invented system may allow study andanalysis for time release buildup for use in the following applications,for example: natural resource damage assessments including petroleumdetection and crude oil degradation by-products; chemical and chemicalagents of concern for Homeland Security; radiological detection andmeasurement; illegal drug manufacturing; cetection system for POTW/NPDESmonitoring of hazardous wastes and other chemicals of concern; in-stackmonitoring; down-wind monitoring; over-spray analysis; nutrient loadingand analysis within watersheds; mine runoff and evaluations; sedimentanalysis including analysis of contaminant migration through the vadosezone; surface water runoff analysis; and/or water quality analysisincluding salt-water environments.

Integration of remote sensing discs may allow for real-time measurementof chemicals, environment conditions, and materials. The preferred discsare designed to be an integral part of the sampler system. Sensors canbe a single unit such as a single disc or body with one or more sensingmaterials and electronics/transmission equipment, or may be multiplediscs, sensors and/or membranes with said electronics/transmissionequipment.

Integration and telemetry may be provided by a floating buoy system foraquatic environments that can be powered by solar cells. Telemetry andGPS interface may be used in remote environments. Embodiments of theinvention may be integrated into land-based and other fixed samplers(e.g. sanitary sewer, stack monitoring).

The ion-exchange resin will be selected and tested to match the needs ofthe client and project and may include mixed ion-exchange resin beds fortracking of contaminants. The preferred sampler system is unique in thatit allows packaging of multiple resins within a single cylindricalhousing and allows the sampler to be placed within an environmentalmedia (at preselected depths and locations) and/or on a tethered orfixed system. Tethered or fixed systems are unique since they allow thesystem to be placed in fixed locations such as those within municipalsewer systems that can be easily retrieved following the samplingcampaign. The sampler is designed to offer unique options for today'sdifficult challenges within the environment.

Another unique feature with this sampler is the advantages it can offerto decision-makers such as those affected with the assessment of naturalresource damage assessments. When coupled with remote sensing discs, theassessment team can gain access to real-time response data such asdissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, soil moisture and targeted specificremote sensing collection materials that when linked to real timetelemetry and GPS system can offer the user the advantage of linkingreal time data with the collection of data related to time affectedaccumulation data associated with the ion-exchange cylinder.

The sensing discs are combined into a small engineered package and willeither complement the collection of environmental data with the systemand/or provide a scientific platform that allows the scientificcommunity the tools which to evaluate environmental data collected bythis system. Remote sensing materials and systems are easily adaptableinto the smaller discs allowing the ability to offer a unique deliverytool and system for the environmental community.

Some embodiments of the invention may be described as an environmentalmonitoring system comprising: a sampler having a housing surrounding aninterior space for receiving adsorbent that is adapted to adsorb atleast one atom, ion or molecule from the environment in which thesampler is placed, the housing comprising a fluid-permeable outer screenand an inner stem, wherein said interior space is between said outerscreen and inner stem; and a real-time sensor connected to the samplerfor sensing physical parameters or chemicals in said environment; and atelemetry base comprising telemetry equipment provided a distance fromthe sampler and real-time sensor; wherein the real-time sensor isadapted to transmit data signals to said telemetry base for furthertransmission to a laboratory or control station, said data signalscomprising data on said physical parameters or chemicals. The outerscreen is preferably cylindrical and said stem is preferablycylindrical, with said interior space being an annular space, but thescreen and stem may be other shapes. The system may further comprisemultiple of said real-time sensors, each sensor being adapted to sense adifferent physical parameter or chemical or matter such as bacteria. Thephysical parameters or chemicals may be selected from the groupconsisting of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, clarity, bacteria,moisture-content, conductivity, organic compounds, and inorganiccompounds, but may alternatively be selected from otherparameters/chemicals. The housing may have a top and a bottom, alongitudinal axis from said top to said bottom, and the stem may have apassageway on said longitudinal axis, wherein the sampler is attached toan elongated supporting member that extends through the passageway. Thetop and bottom of the housing may be a top cap and bottom platform ofvarious shapes, including but not limited to top and bottom plates. Thesystem may further comprise a buoy for floating in water, wherein theelongated supporting member hangs from said buoy. The system may furthercomprise a weight attached to the elongated supporting member below thesampler. The real-time sensor may have an aperture and the elongatedsupport member may extend through said aperture so that the real-timesensor is connected to said support member. The real-time sensor mayrest on the top of the sampler, for example, by sliding down on top ofthe sampler by means of the sensor being slideably connected to theelongated member because the elongated member is received inside theaperture, for example with the elongated member being of smallerdiameter than the aperture.

Certain embodiments of the environmental monitoring system may bedescribed as comprising: a sampler having a generally cylindricalhousing surrounding an interior space for receiving adsorbent that isadapted to adsorb at least one atom, ion or molecule from theenvironmental medium in which the sampler is placed, the housing havinga top and a bottom and comprising a cylindrical fluid-permeable outerscreen, an inner stem coaxial with the cylindrical outer screen, a capat the top of the sampler and a platform at the bottom of the sampler,wherein said interior space is an annular space between said outerscreen, inner stem, cap and platform; a support base; and an elongatedmember having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of the elongatedmember being attached to the support base, and the sampler beingattached to the elongated member, so that the elongated member withattached sampler extends down from the support base to contact theenvironmental medium so that the adsorbent adsorbs said at least oneatom, ion, or molecule from the environmental medium. The inner stem mayhave a passageway through the inner stem from the top to the bottom ofthe housing, and a plurality of said samplers may be attached to theelongated member with the elongated member extending through thepassageway of the inner stem of each sampler. The elongated member maybe selected from a group consisting of a cable, a bar, an arm, a chain,and a string, for example. The support base may comprise telemetryequipment, and the monitoring system further may comprise a real-timesensor connected to the elongated member at or near at least one of saidsamplers, wherein the real-time sensor is adapted to sense a physicalparameter of the environmental medium at or near said at least onesampler and adapted to transmit data about said physical parameterwireless or by wire to the support base telemetry equipment. The supportbase may comprise telemetry equipment, and the monitoring system mayfurther comprise a real-time sensor connected to the elongated member ator near at least one of said samplers, wherein the real-time sensor isadapted to sense a chemical in the environmental medium at or near saidat least one sampler and adapted to transmit data about said chemicalwireless or by wire to the support base telemetry equipment. Thephysical parameter may be selected from the group consisting oftemperature, pH, clarity, and conductivity, for example. The chemicalmay be selected from the group consisting of dissolved oxygen, organiccompounds, and inorganic compounds, for example. The real-time sensormay have a central axis and an aperture at the central axis, and thereal-time sensor may be attached to the elongated member by theelongated member extending through the aperture. The support base maycomprise telemetry equipment, and the monitoring system further maycomprise a plurality of real-time sensors connected to the elongatedmember at or near at least one of said samplers, with each of thereal-time sensors being adapted to sense a physical parameter of theenvironmental medium or a chemical in the environmental medium, at ornear said at least one sampler and adapted to transmit data about saidphysical parameter and chemical wirelessly or by wire to the supportbase telemetry equipment.

Certain embodiments of the invention may comprise, consist essentiallyof, or consist of, a generally cylindrical housing having a top cap anda bottom platform, a cylindrical fluid-permeable outer screen extendingbetween the top cap and the bottom platform, an inner stem coaxial withand inside the cylindrical outer screen, and an annular space betweensaid outer screen, inner stem, top cap and bottom platform; whereinadsorbent is contained in the annular space (either loose and/or in apacket container made mainly or entirely of fluid-permeablefabric(s)/material(s)) for adsorbing at least one atom, ion, or moleculefrom an environmental medium around the sampler; and the inner stem hasa passageway extending through the sampler for being received on anelongated support member for installing the sampler in the environmentalmedium. The inner stem may be fluid-permeable or fluid-impermeable orhave portions of each. The adsorbent may be in one or multiplecompartments of a packet, made of fluid-permeable fabric(s)/material(s),that is installed into the annular space, for example, a packet havingmultiple parallel compartments extending from the top to the bottom ofthe packet so that the packets extend axially in the annular space.

Although this invention has been described above with reference toparticular means, materials, and embodiments, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, butextends instead to all equivalents within the broad scope of thefollowing claims.

1. An environmental and agricultural monitoring system comprising: asampler having a housing surrounding an interior space for receivingadsorbent that is adapted to adsorb at least one atom, ion or moleculefrom the environment in which the sampler is placed, the housingcomprising at least one fluid-permeable portion so that fluid from theenvironment flows through the at least one fluid-permeable portion tocontact the adsorbent; an elongated insertion tool comprising at leastone screw portion and a sampler-support portion; wherein the sampler isconnected to the insertion tool at the sampler support portion, forinserting the sampler into the ground for adsorbing chemical, nutrients,or contaminants in the ground.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein screwportion is selected from a group consisting of: a cork-screw portion, athreaded portion, and an auger flight portion.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the sampler support portion is a cylindrical shaft portion thatis received through a passageway through the sampler.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one screw portion comprises multiplescrew portions, and at least one of said screw portions is above thesampler and at least one of said screw portions is below the sampler. 5.The system of claim 1, comprising multiple of said samplers connected tothe elongated insertion tool, and spaced along the length of theinsertion tool, so that the tool when inserted into the ground placesthe multiple samplers at different levels below the ground.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein at least one screw portion comprises multiplescrew portions, and the multiple screw portions and multiple samplersare alternated along the length of the insertion tool.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one real-time sensor connected tothe insertion tool for sensing physical parameters or chemicals in saidground.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one real-timesensor is within 6 inches of the sampler.
 9. The system of claim 1,comprising multiple of said samplers connected to the insertion tool,and at least one real-time sensor connected to the insertion tool within6 inches of each of said samplers.
 10. The system of claim 7, furthercomprising a telemetry base comprising telemetry equipment provided adistance from the sampler and the at least one real-time sensor; whereinthe at least one real-time sensor is adapted to transmit data signals tosaid telemetry base for transmission by the telemetry base to alaboratory or control station, said data signals comprising data on saidphysical parameters or chemicals.
 11. The system of claim 9, furthercomprising a telemetry base comprising telemetry equipment provided adistance from the samplers and the real-time sensors; wherein thesensors are adapted to transmit data signals to said telemetry base fortransmission by the telemetry base to a laboratory or control station,said data signals comprising data on said physical parameters orchemicals.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said sampler is generallycylindrical and has an outer sidewall that comprises said at least onefluid-permeable portion.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprisingan inner member extending axially through the sampler and having ahollow passage that receives the sampler-support portion of theinsertion tool.
 14. The system of claim 13 comprising an annular spacebetween the outer sidewall and the inner member that receives theadsorbent.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the adsorbent is at leastone ion-exchange resin.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein eachreal-time sensor is adapted to sense a different physical parameter orchemical.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said physical parametersor chemicals are selected from the group consisting of temperature,dissolved oxygen, pH, clarity, bacteria, moisture, conductivity, organiccompounds, and inorganic compounds.
 18. The system of claim 6,comprising at least three screw portions and at least two of saidsamplers.
 19. The system of claim 6, wherein said multiple samplers areprovided in sets of two samplers in series, the sets being spaced alongthe length of the insertion tool, for obtaining two samplings ofcontaminants/nutrients/chemicals in each region of the ground where aset is placed.
 20. The system of claim 6, having a total of at leastfour of said samplers connected to the insertion tool.